Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Died 7 Days Apart. Their Shocking Causes of Death Revealed by Authorities

Mar. 15, 2025

Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa Hackman died from hantavirus, a flu-like virus linked to rodent droppings, and the Oscar-winning actordidn’t die until a week later, authorities said on Friday, March 7, while revealing their causes of death.

Gene, 95, died from a combination of severe heart disease, high blood pressure andadvanced Alzheimer’s disease, and was likely alone in the homewith his dead wife for days.

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Meanwhile, thelast activity on Gene’s pacemakerwas registered on Feb. 17; Jarrell said it is “reasonable to conclude” Hackman, who had no food in his stomach at the time of his death, died the following day. Hackman showed no signs of dehydration, however.

“It is reasonable to conclude that Ms. Hackman passed first,” said Jarrell.

AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales

Thecouple’s dog, Zinna, was found dead, crated in a closet, a few feet away from Betsy. Two other dogs were found alive on the sprawling property. A necrospy is being conducted to determine Zinna’s cause of death.

While a small gas leak was discovered on one of the couple’s stovetops,carbon monoxide and gas were ruled outas causes of death.

Hantavirus cases are relatively rare, but are fatal in up to 42% of cases in New Mexico, said Phipps. Phipps said there have been less than 10 cases of hantavirus in the state in the last five years.

Gene,considered one of the finest actors of his generation, twice won Academy Awards during his decades-long career, with victories coming forThe French Connectionin 1971 andUnforgivenin 1992.

He retired from Hollywood in 2004 and settled into a quiet life in Santa Fe with Betsy, a concert pianist.

source: people.com