Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home under what authorities initially described as “suspicious” circumstances. While the case remains under investigation, officials have now confirmed their causes of death.

Official Causes of Death

Santa Fe County officials have announced that Gene Hackman, 95, died from heart disease, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor. His wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus, an infection attributed to exposure to rodents.

Authorities believe Hackman likely died several days after Arakawa. The New Mexico Medical Investigator’s Office confirmed these findings during a press conference on Friday, March 7, 2025.

Timeline of Events

📅 February 17, 2025 – Gene Hackman’s pacemaker records its last event, suggesting a possible cardiac arrest.

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📅 February 26, 2025 – A maintenance worker discovers the bodies of Hackman and Arakawa, along with their deceased dog, inside their Santa Fe home. Authorities are called to the scene.

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📅 February 27, 2025 – Preliminary autopsy results reveal no signs of foul play or carbon monoxide poisoning. Hackman is believed to have died about nine days earlier.

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📅 March 1, 2025 – Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden shares his theory on the possible causes of death, initially highlighting Hackman’s severe heart disease and Arakawa’s likely distress-induced collapse.

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📅 March 7, 2025 – Authorities officially announce Hackman’s cause of death as heart disease and Arakawa’s as hantavirus.

Discovery and Initial Findings

On February 26, 2025, authorities discovered the bodies of Hackman and Arakawa inside their Santa Fe home. The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department found no immediate signs of forced entry or external trauma, but the unusual circumstances prompted a criminal investigation.

After preliminary autopsies, Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that neither Hackman nor his wife had carbon monoxide poisoning. Hackman was deceased for approximately nine days before being found. The absence of external injuries initially deepened the mystery.

Hackman’s Pacemaker: A Crucial Clue

Dr. Michael Baden had pointed to Hackman’s pacemaker as a key piece of evidence. Records indicated that the device last recorded an event on February 17, which was determined to be a fatal cardiac arrest. Hackman suffered from severe coronary artery disease and high blood pressure, conditions that could have led to a sudden collapse.

Investigators found Hackman’s body in a mudroom, with a walking cane and sunglasses nearby—suggesting he may have fallen suddenly. According to Baden, “The most common cause of death in this country is severe heart disease. If he suffered a cardiac event, he may have collapsed and died instantly.”

Hantavirus and Arakawa’s Death

The biggest revelation in the investigation was the cause of Betsy Arakawa’s death. Officials now confirm that she succumbed to hantavirus, a rare but deadly disease transmitted through rodent droppings, urine, or saliva.

Arakawa’s body was discovered on the floor of a bathroom, with prescription pills scattered on the counter. Initially, investigators considered the possibility of an overdose or stress-induced collapse. However, health officials later determined that hantavirus was the primary cause, likely contracted from rodent exposure within the home.

The Role of the Deceased Dog

Authorities also found a deceased dog, initially misidentified, in a closet near Arakawa’s body. Investigators now believe the dog may have succumbed to dehydration while trapped in a confined space. Two other dogs on the property were found alive, with access to an exit at the rear of the residence.

Lack of an Emergency Call

One of the most perplexing aspects of the case remains why no emergency call was made after Hackman’s apparent cardiac arrest on February 17. Sheriff Mendoza suggested that Arakawa may have been the only person capable of calling for help and was already severely ill by that point.

“Given what we now know about her condition, it’s possible she was already suffering from symptoms of hantavirus and was unable to seek assistance,” Mendoza explained.

Remembering Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa

Gene Hackman was a legendary actor known for his iconic roles in The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums. He had largely retreated from public life in recent years, residing quietly in Santa Fe with Arakawa, his wife of over three decades. The couple was last seen publicly in March 2024.

On Sunday, March 2, 2025, Hackman was honored at the Academy Awards ceremony by actor Morgan Freeman. “Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer whose gifts elevated everyone’s work,” Freeman said. “Gene, you will be remembered for that, and so much more.”

The conclusion of the investigation into the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa serves as a tragic reminder of the fragility of life and the unforeseen dangers that can arise even in the quietest of lives.

Hackman died of heart disease, likely collapsing suddenly at his Santa Fe home. He had a history of severe heart disease, high blood pressure, and other conditions that could have contributed to his death. He may have died as many as nine days prior to discovery.

Meanwhile, Arakawa died of the rare hantavirus, which is transmitted through the excrement, urine, or saliva of rodents.

This suggests that the family home must have had a rodent problem. No one knew that the small, undisturbed home was harboring a danger that could have been present for a long time. No one could have foreseen that such a quiet life would end on such a tragic note.

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