The autopsy report for Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman has been released, two months after his passing. Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their New Mexico home on February 26. According to the Medical Investigator Office in New Mexico, Hackman’s death was caused by severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The report also revealed that Hackman had a history of congestive heart failure, severe chronic hypertensive changes in his kidneys, and Alzheimer’s disease.
The autopsy further showed that Hackman had undergone significant cardiac procedures, including the placement of coronary artery stents, a bypass graft, and an aortic valve replacement. Remote myocardial infarctions were also present, involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum. Additionally, the toxicology report detected trace amounts of acetone in Hackman’s system, suggesting he had fasted for an extended period ¹ ².
In contrast, Arakawa’s cause of death was attributed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a serious respiratory illness caused by exposure to infected rodents. The virus can present itself with flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can progress to shortness of breath, cardiac failure, and lung failure. The couple’s home was reportedly cluttered and dirty, with rodent droppings found throughout.
It’s worth noting that initial speculation about carbon monoxide poisoning was ruled out as a potential cause of death. The investigation suggested that Hackman and Arakawa died of natural causes, with Arakawa passing away about a week before Hackman. Data from Hackman’s pacemaker indicated that he died on February 18 ¹.
