Gene Hackman’s Heartbreaking Cause of Death Revealed

It has been just over a week since police discovered the bodies of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsey Arakawa, inside their Santa Fe home. While initial reports suggested the pair had died due to carbon monoxide poisoning, the theory has since been disproven. Instead, a confusing picture of the actor and his longtime bride has emerged. In the days since their deaths, experts and fans have weighed in with theories regarding the mysterious deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa. While a medical examiner’s theory wasn’t terrible off the mark, Gene Hackman’s cause of death is even more heartbreaking.

A medical examiner suggested Hackman may have died from shock

The team investigating the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa remained tight-lipped throughout the investigation. While the deaths were labeled “suspicious” enough for further investigation, foul play was never suspected. Despite that, the mystery deepened. Recently, a medical examiner stepped forward to share his theory.

James Gil, a medical examiner in Connecticut, spoke to People about Hackman and Arakawa’s death just before an official cause of death was announced. While Gil is not associated with the investigation, he theorized that both Arakawa and Hackman died of natural causes in separate but linked events. Gil suggests that one partner may have died of a medical emergency, and the other died a short time later from the “shock” of the incident. Gil suggested one or the other may have died of a broken heart.

Several online sleuths posited similar theories. Some social media users suggested Arakawa might have died from a heart attack or stroke, and Hackman fell and perished while going for help. An official cause of death has been issued and the theory is not far off.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s cause of deaths revealed

James Gil’s theory was not entirely off the mark. On March 7, investigators revealed that Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s cause of death had been identified. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Arakawa died at least a week before Hackman. She was last seen in public on February 11 and last responded to emails on the same day. Investigators note that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Hantavirus is a rare but severe respiratory illness contracted from infected rodents, like mice or rats. The syndrome is fatal in 40% of cases.

Gene Hackman’s cause of death is being attributed to heart disease and severe Alzheimer’s Disease. According to reports, Hackman’s untimely death came about a week after his wife’s. While little is known about his mental state in the months before his death, it appears that he was either unaware or unable to go for help after Arakawa collapsed. It’s possible that advancing Alzheimer’s disease made it impossible for him to recognize that there was an emergency inside his home. Hackman’s pacemaker last reported an incident on February 18, which is when investigators believe he perished. He was not infected with the same virus as Arakawa.

Family members are opting not to weigh in

In the hours after Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies were found, Hackman’s daughter spoke out about her famous father’s passing. His daughter, who has maintained a private life, theorized that Hackman and Arakawa had died of carbon monoxide poisoning. That explanation was ruled out quickly. The children have not made any other statements. Hackman’s nephew, however, had spoken out before te cause of death had been revealed. He insisted he would prefer not to “guess” about his uncle’s cause of death.

Hackman was the father of three. His wife had no children. Her mother currently lives in Hawaii, but a caregiver revealed that Arakawa had not called her mother in the months before her death. The lack of communication was out of the ordinary. Hackman hadn’t spoken to his children in just as long. The reason behind their decision to pull away from their families in the months leading up to their deaths will remain a mystery, it seems.