Gene Hackman's and Wife Cause of Death Revealed

Initially, when the world heard that actor Gene Hackman died at the age of 95 in his Santa Fe home, the most common response was, “Well, he lived a good, long life.” But, as more and more details surrounding his death emerged, it quickly became clear that there was nothing ordinary about it. 

Gene Hackman Found Dead

Technically speaking, the actor was declared to have died of natural causes, but that can include any number of things. And, when you consider the fact that his body had been lying on the floor for days, it certainly doesn’t seem “natural.” 

How did Gene Hackman die? Well, there’s nothing straightforward about it. Although his body was found on February 26th, the last day that his pacemaker showed any activity was February 18th. 

Further evidence of this eight-day lapse was the fact that his body had already started to decompose. He was found on the floor in a mudroom near the kitchen. Both his walking cane and sunglasses were nearby. 

Things Get Stranger

The circumstances surrounding Gene Hackman’s death get even stranger. His wife, Betsy Arakawa, was also found dead on the floor of the bathroom to the left of the front door. Beside her body was an open prescription pill bottle and loose pills. 

To make matters worse, Betsy had been dead for a full week before Hackman died. Although he had advanced Alzheimer's, it seems unfathomable that his wife could have been dead on the floor of their home for a full week without going noticed. 

Cause of Death

For now, Gene Hackman’s death cause is being attributed to his poor health. He had significant heart disease and the Chief Medical Examiner believes that’s what resulted in his death. 

But, things only get stranger because Betsy’s cause of death is far more puzzling. She died as a result of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. It’s an incredibly rare respiratory infection caused by exposure to the saliva, urine, or feces of rodents. 

Meanwhile, there weren’t any rodents found in the house. There were, however, signs of their presence in other structures on the property. This disease can bring on flu-like symptoms. So, it’s possible Betsy was looking for medicine to help with any symptoms she might’ve been experiencing when she died. 

If you can believe it, the sadness and tragedy surrounding it all only gets worse. The couple had three dogs. For whatever reason, one of them was in a crate in a closet of the bathroom and died as a result of dehydration and starvation. 

A Private Life

It’s easy to wonder, “Why did nobody check in on them sooner?” The couple was found by a maintenance worker who spotted their bodies from a window outside their home. But, it is possible when you consider how private their lives were. 

One of Hackman’s three daughters, for example, said she hadn’t seen her father in a few years because she lived in California and he no longer traveled much. Betsy was Gene’s second wife and they moved to Santa Fe in the late 1980s. 

Although we all have our favorite Gene Hackman movies, the actor retired from the industry in 2004 – after more than 40 years in the biz. Sadly, even back then, he was already facing heart troubles. 

One of the reasons for his departure was a stress test that produced troubling results. The doctor warned Hackman that he had to make significant changes to his lifestyle to avoid any further damage to his heart. 

Initially, Hackman was quite active in the Santa Fe art scene. He was on the board of the Georgia O’Keefe Museum for nearly a decade. He used to go golfing with his friends and invite them over to their house. Betsy often arranged these outings for him. 

Yet, since COVID, sightings of Hackman became increasingly rare. Betsy, 65, remained in good health and took on a caretaker role to her husband. The last time the paparazzi took a photo of the pair together in public March 2024. 

The Mystery Remains

While the world has some answers as to the confusing circumstances surrounding the death of Gene Hackman, it really feels like it doesn’t add up. How was Betsy exposed to rodent droppings? How did Gene not know she was dead? Why did nobody check on them sooner? 

There’s no doubt that the investigations will continue. Hopefully, more will be revealed with time. To no surprise, the conspiracy theories already abound, but it’s best to steer clear of those. 

Instead, keep coming back for all the latest entertainment news, including new developments in the case. We can only hope that, after more than 30 years of marriage, the couple is now resting in peace.