Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa Hackman’s causes of death were disclosed by officials in Sante Fe, New Mexico on Friday, with Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirming that the investigation into the case is ongoing. At a press conference over a week after the couple’s bodies were found in their home on Feb. 26, Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell revealed that Gene passed away due to hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor. Betsy’s cause of death was determined to be hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a disease transmitted from animals to humans commonly found in rodents. Dr. Jarrell suggested that Betsy, 65, passed away around Feb. 11, while Gene, 95, likely remained alone in the home for about a week until his death around Feb. 18, the last time activity was noted on his pacemaker.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities await the Hackmans’ cell phone records and the necropsy results of the couple’s dog Zinna, who was also found deceased in the house. Sheriff Mendoza emphasized the need to tie up loose ends before concluding the investigation during the press conference. Detectives have retrieved two cellphones from the house, according to the search warrant inventory obtained by Fox News Digital.
Mendoza expressed confidence in the timeline established by Dr. Jarrell, indicating that the cell phone records are not expected to reveal additional information beyond what is already known. There is no evidence to suggest that Gene had any communication with others during the week he spent alone in the house after Betsy’s passing. The investigation also detailed Betsy’s activities leading up to Feb. 11, the day she was last seen alive.
The couple’s dog Zinna was found deceased in a crate in close proximity to Betsy’s body. Other surviving dogs, Bear and Nikita, were found on the property. Mendoza explained that a procedure performed on Zinna might explain why the dog was in a crate at the time of discovery. The investigation continues as authorities work on gathering all necessary information to conclude the case.
Initially, the deceased female was found near the bathroom, while the other healthy dog was seen outside the residence. Authorities believe that Betsy passed away a week before Gene. Detailed investigation revealed email exchanges between Betsy and her massage therapist on Feb. 11 at 11:21 a.m.
As per Detective Mendoza, Betsy was spotted at Sprouts farmers market between 3:30 and 4:15 p.m. Surveillance footage captured her at the local CVS Pharmacy around 4:20 p.m. Multiple unopened emails were found on her computer from that day. There was no further communication or activity after Feb. 11, 2025, pending analysis of cellphone data.
During a press conference, it was explained that hantavirus symptoms include fever, muscle aches, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially leading to respiratory and cardiac failure. The timeline of Betsy’s illness was uncertain, with a rapid decline in health towards the end. Communication regarding her illness before her death is being investigated.
The Hackmans owned three dogs, with two surviving. One of the dogs, Zinna, underwent a necropsy at the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostic Services. The cause of Zinna’s death was unclear, although starvation or dehydration due to being crated was a possibility. It was clarified that Zinna did not die from hantavirus, as dogs are not affected by the disease.
The deaths of the couple were initially considered suspicious, prompting a thorough investigation. The state has seen a limited number of hantavirus cases each year, with some proving fatal. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover more details surrounding the tragic events.
There are still “loopholes” in the ongoing investigation.
