Gene Hackman & Wife Betsy Arakawa’s Causes of Death Revealed

Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home last month, and now their causes of death have been revealed.

Chief Medical Examiner for New Mexico Dr. Heather Jarrell announced at a press conference on Friday that Hackman died from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor. She believes his date of death was February 18.

Jarrell added, “The cause of death for Mrs. Hackman is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The cause of death is natural.” She believes Betsy died on February 11.

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that cause serious illness and sometimes death in people worldwide, according to the CDC. They are spread by infected rodents through their urine, feces, and saliva. Some hantaviruses cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). The early symptoms can resemble other respiratory illnesses, sometimes making diagnosis more difficult.

Dr. Jarrell also said of Hackman may not have been aware his wife had died, noting, “I can tell you that he was in an advanced state of all and it’s quite possible that he was not aware she was deceased.”

At a press conference last Friday, Sheriff Adan Mendoza told reporters, “An autopsy was performed, initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual. The manner and cause of death has not been determined. The official results of the autopsy and the toxicology reports are pending.”

He added, “I spoke with Dr. Jarrell the pathologist from the New Mexico office of the medical investigator… she advised there were several tests to be expedited. She revealed to me the following information, both individuals tested negative for carbon monoxide. An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr. Hackman’s pacemaker, this revealed that his last event was recorded on Feb. 17, 2025. I was advised that a more thorough investigation would be completed.”

TMZ reports Mendoza also noted that there were no surveillance cameras on the property or in the home to help with the investigation.

In addition, USA Today now confirms a deceased dog, an Australian Kelpie mix, was found locked in a kennel. Considering Gene and Betsy may have died more than a week before their bodies were found, the dog died from a lack of food and water.