New details have emerged surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, shedding light on a tragic and deeply unsettling sequence of events. Authorities have now confirmed that the couple, who were found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 26, died from natural causes—but a week apart.

According to findings shared on Friday by the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the Medical Investigator, Arakawa, 65, likely passed away on February 11 due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but often fatal disease spread by rodent droppings. Hackman, 95, who had advanced Alzheimer’s disease, is believed to have died days later from heart failure, possibly unaware that his wife had already passed.

A Silent and Isolated Tragedy

The investigation into the couple’s deaths initially raised suspicions, as authorities found no signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or external trauma. However, forensic analysis has now determined that both Hackman and Arakawa died of natural causes under devastating circumstances.

“Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell stated during Friday’s press conference. “He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death.”

Arakawa was discovered in the bathroom with an open prescription bottle and scattered pills nearby. Investigators believe she contracted hantavirus, which affects the lungs and can lead to severe respiratory distress. The illness, while rare, is known to be fatal, and cases have been reported in the southwestern United States.

Hackman’s body was found a week later near the kitchen, in the home’s mudroom. He had fallen, with his cane and sunglasses on the ground beside him. His pacemaker data indicated an abnormal heart rhythm on February 18, suggesting that was the likely date of his death—several days after his wife had already passed.

Isolation and the Effects of Alzheimer’s

Investigators believe Hackman, due to the advanced stage of his Alzheimer’s, may not have understood or recognised that his wife had died. Experts say it’s possible he was unable to process what had happened or take action to seek help.

“It’s quite possible he was not aware she was deceased,” Dr. Jarrell said.

The grim timeline was further supported by evidence that Arakawa had stopped responding to emails and phone calls on February 11. She had last been seen running errands that day, visiting a pharmacy, pet store, and grocery store before returning home. Authorities have yet to analyse mobile phone data retrieved from the residence, which could offer further insight into their final days.

An Unfinished Investigation

The case remains open as authorities await additional test results, including a necropsy on one of the couple’s dogs, which was found dead in a crate near Arakawa. The couple’s two surviving dogs were removed from the home, and investigators are working to determine whether the hantavirus played any role in the dog’s death.

The revelation of Hackman’s declining health and his final days alone has left many in shock, particularly those in the Santa Fe community who knew him.

“All of us that knew him should have been checking on him,” said Stuart Ashman, a Santa Fe local who encountered Hackman at a Pilates studio. “I had no idea. … It’s just really sad. And that she died a week before him. My God.”

As tributes continue to pour in for the legendary actor, the circumstances of his passing add a haunting layer to the loss. From his groundbreaking performances to the quiet years of his retirement, Hackman’s impact on cinema remains immeasurable.

This is a developing story.

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Sources: The Independent, 9 News