Officials in Santa Fe disclosed on Friday that Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman, shown together in 2006, passed away from natural causes. [Photo: Zuma Press/Alamy]Acclaimed actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were discovered deceased last month in Santa Fe, New Mexico, shared an unbreakable bond, which may have influenced the circumstances of their passing.A dedicated caregiver, Arakawa tended to Hackman in his later years as he battled Alzheimer’s disease, ensuring his well-being and shielding him from ailments. Authorities in Santa Fe confirmed on Friday that the couple’s deaths were due to natural causes – Hackman from heart disease and Arakawa from a rare viral infection. It is believed that Arakawa passed away first, potentially on February 11, the last day she was seen or heard from. Hackman, 95, likely remained unaware of his wife’s demise and was left alone in their home for days, disoriented and unable to seek aid. His pacemaker registered his final heartbeat on February 18, indicating his passing approximately a week after his wife’s demise.The couple’s bodies were found on February 26 after a maintenance worker raised the alarm when no one answered the door. Emergency responders located Arakawa, 65, on the bathroom floor surrounded by spilled medication and a pill bottle, indicating she had been deceased for some time. Their dog Zinna was found deceased in a closet, while Hackman’s body, wearing slippers, was discovered in a mudroom near a cane.A postmortem revealed that Arakawa had succumbed to hantavirus, a severe illness typically contracted from exposure to rodent droppings. Hackman’s Alzheimer’s condition, coupled with his declining health, was listed as a contributing factor in his passing.New Mexico’s chief medical examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, noted that Arakawa’s autopsy uncovered signs of chronic heart disease and kidney damage due to prolonged high blood pressure. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of Zinna’s death, with speculation suggesting dehydration and starvation.Much remains unknown about their final days, with accounts from friends and neighbors indicating the couple had withdrawn from public life, particularly after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Arakawa had taken extensive measures to protect Hackman from potential illness, wearing a mask in public and limiting their outings before her disappearance on February 11.Authorities have not found evidence of additional care for Hackman in their home during this period.
This is about Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa. Hackman’s health declined significantly, especially considering the successful life he had built. The Oscar-winning actor had moved to Santa Fe in the late 1980s following a divorce and had developed a deep appreciation for the city’s scenery and artistic community. Despite their 30-year age difference, Arakawa, a classical pianist from Hawaii, and Hackman began a relationship after a chance encounter at a Los Angeles fitness center. As time passed, Hackman’s health deteriorated, especially after Covid, causing him to become more reclusive to protect his health. Family friends shared that he had become increasingly home-bound and less active in the months leading up to his passing. The couple’s commitment to privacy, valued in Santa Fe, may have played a role in their tragic deaths.
