SANTA FE, N.M. – The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Hollywood icon Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, a renowned classical pianist, continue to raise questions. The couple was found deceased in their Santa Fe home on Feb.26, prompting initial concerns and a thorough inquiry.

While authorities have ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause, a timeline discrepancy regarding Arakawa’s death and the grim finding at their residence have fueled public speculation. The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office is piecing together the events leading up to their passing, with a focus on medical records and timelines.

Timeline Discrepancy Emerges

A point of contention arose when a doctor claimed to have spoken with Arakawa on Feb. 12, contradicting earlier reports suggesting she may have died on or around Feb. 11. the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office confirmed Arakawa’s cell phone records corroborated this account, showing she made three calls to a medical center on Feb.12, also missing an incoming call from the medical center later that afternoon.

Dr. Josiah child, who runs Cloudberry Health in Santa Fe, told the Daily Mail that Arakawa had contacted his clinic:

“(She) didn’t die on February 11 because she called my clinic on February 12. She’d called me a couple of weeks before her death to ask about getting an echocardiogram [heart scan] for her husband,”
Dr. Josiah Child, Daily Mail

“She was not a patient of mine, but one of my patients recommended Cloudberry to her. She made an appointment for herself for february 12. It was for something unrelated to anything respiratory,”
Dr. Josiah Child, Daily Mail

This revelation prompted the Office of the Medical Investigator to clarify their initial statements, noting that the estimation of Arakawa’s death was “on or around Feb. 11,” not a definitive date.

Official Findings: Natural causes

Dr. Heather Jarrell, New Mexico’s chief medical examiner, addressed the public on March 7, providing details from the autopsies conducted on both individuals. She confirmed that Gene Hackman’s death was due to severe heart disease, with advanced alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor.

“He was in a poor state of health,”
Dr. Heather Jarrell, News Conference

tragically, Betsy Arakawa’s cause of death was determined to be hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory illness transmitted by infected rodents. Hackman tested negative for the virus. Both deaths were classified as natural causes. This diagnosis underscores the importance of understanding and preventing hantavirus transmission, notably in rural areas of the United States.

The Scene at Home: A Welfare Check Turns Tragic

The couple’s bodies were discovered during a welfare check after a maintenance worker noticed their front door ajar on Feb. 26. The initial scene raised concerns, as detailed in a search warrant affidavit stating the deaths were “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.”

Hackman was found on the floor of the mud room. Arakawa was located on the bathroom floor with a space heater nearby. The affidavit noted Arakawa was found lying on her side on the bathroom floor with a space heater near her body… Officials noted her body “showed obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet.” an orange prescription bottle and scattered pills were also observed.

Adding to the distress, one of their three dogs, a kelpie mix named Zinna, was found deceased. An examination revealed dehydration and starvation likely contributed to the dog’s death. Two other dogs, Bear, a German shepherd, and Nikita, survived and were taken in by Santa Fe Animal Control Division.

Joey Padilla, a pet care specialist, confirmed the survival of bear and Nikita to the Associated Press, stating that “The Santa Fe Animal Control division worked to ensure the safety of the two surviving dogs,” Mendoza saeid.

Pacemaker Data Provides Clues

Adding another layer of detail to the timeline, Hackman’s pacemaker recorded his “last event” on Feb.17, nine days before the discovery of the bodies, according to authorities.This data could be crucial in understanding the sequence of events leading to their deaths.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: Understanding the Threat

Arakawa’s death from HPS brings attention to this often-overlooked public health concern. While rare, HPS has a high mortality rate. The virus is typically transmitted through the inhalation of airborne particles from the urine,droppings,or saliva of infected rodents,particularly deer mice in the United States. Early symptoms resemble the flu – fever, muscle aches, and fatigue – but the disease can rapidly progress to severe respiratory distress.

the CDC emphasizes the importance of rodent control and safe cleanup practices to prevent HPS. This includes sealing entry points in homes, using traps, and thoroughly disinfecting contaminated areas with a bleach solution.

The diagnosis of HPS in this high-profile case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in our environment and the importance of taking preventative measures.