Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home last month, leaving the entertainment industry in shock. Initially, speculation arose regarding the cause of their deaths, ranging from carbon monoxide poisoning to foul play. However, toxicology reports later confirmed that Arakawa had succumbed to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a rare and fatal illness caused by exposure to rodent droppings. Hackman, who had been suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s disease, was unable to call for help after his wife’s passing and remained alone for days, unaware of the situation.
A close friend of the couple, Tom Allin, revealed that Hackman did not own a phone and was uninterested in technology, which left him isolated after Arakawa’s death. With his wife serving as his primary caregiver, Hackman struggled to function on his own and likely did not realize she had passed. Investigators believe that his deteriorating condition, coupled with a lack of food and support, contributed significantly to his own death. Tragically, one of the couple’s three dogs was also found deceased in a crate. The heartbreaking circumstances surrounding their passing have left fans mourning the loss of the legendary actor and his devoted wife.