New Mexico officials announced the cause of death of the actor Jean Hackman And his wife, Betsy Arakawa, a week after they were there, He’s dead At my Santa Fe home. Hackman died of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease contributed to the disease, and Arakawa died a few days ago Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndromesaid Friday, Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell.
Investigators were about to decide a cause of death For the couple since they passed away at home last month.
How did Gene Hackman die?
Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found dead at their homes in the Santa Fe Gate community on February 26th, but apparently died at the beginning of the month.
Hackman likely died around February 18th, when his last activity was detected in his pacemaker, Jarrell said at a press conference Friday.
An autopsy determined that Hackman had died of heart disease and was also suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s disease. He tested negative for the hantavirus.
“He was in very poor health,” Jarrell said. “He had serious heart disease, and I think that ultimately led to his death.”
Arakawa was likely the first to die, and on February 11th it was the last time she was known to be alive, Jarrell said. People with Hantavirus infection can initially experience flu-like symptoms for about 3-6 days, then start to have fluid inside and around the lungs.
“At that point, a person can die very quickly within 24-48 hours. “It’s not uncommon to find someone on the floor as part of a terminal collapse. That could have happened very often.”
Asked if Hackman knew that his wife had passed away, Jarrell said, “That question is difficult to answer, but he could tell him he was in a high-grade Alzheimer’s condition and it’s very likely he didn’t know that she had passed away.”
Hackman’s stomach had no food. This means he hadn’t eaten recently before he passed away, Jarrell said. She could not find any evidence of dehydration.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said there were no signs of caretakers at home.
What is Hantavirus?
Huntervillos has been found all over the world, transported by rodents and transferred from animals to humans, Dr. Erin Phipps, a state public health veterinarian with the New Mexico Health Department, told reporters Friday. Huntavillos, found in New Mexico, is found statewide, mostly in deer mice, but also in other rodents, Phipps said.
The mortality rate for hantavirus strains in the southwestern region is around 38% to 50%, Jarrell said. Hantaviruses can contract from exposure to excretion from mouse species carrying the virus.
“It is important to avoid contact or breathing with aerosolized rodent urine or feces, especially in areas with poor ventilation,” Phipps said.
Various US stocks cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Hantavirus infection is characterized by influenza-like symptoms, such as fever, muscle pain, cough, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea, which can progress to shortness of breath and lack of heart and lungs.
The disease is rare, with the state health department reporting in 2024 that there were only seven cases of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in New Mexico. Over the past 50 years, authorities have identified 136 infections among New Mexican residents, including five from Santa Fe County.
“It’s a serious illness. 42% of these infections in New Mexico were fatal,” Phipps said. Most infections occur at home and at work, she said.
State health agents conducted a risk assessment of the couple’s property on Wednesday, Phipps said. The main residence itself was considered to be at a low risk of hantavirus exposure, but signs of rodent invasion have been found in other structures of the property, she said.
Investigating the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa
Mendoza I said it last Friday There were no obvious signs of foul play in death. The initial findings from the autopsy showed no external trauma on either body, Mendoza said.
According to the affidavit of the search warrant, Hackman’s body was found in a mudroom near the kitchen, where his cane and sunglasses are nearby.
According to an inventory of searches filed with the court, the sheriff’s office discovered blood pressure and thyroid problems during a search of the house, as well as Tylenol medication. According to the affidavit, some pills were scattered across the bathroom countertop near where Arakawa’s body was found. Mendoza would not have said who was prescribed the medication, citing the patient’s privacy laws.
One of the couple’s three dogs was also found dead in a wooden box near Arakawa, while the other two were alive. Phipps said the dog could have died of dehydration or starvation. Dogs won’t get sick from the hantavirus, she said.
Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Investigators also collected two mobile phones from their home and monthly planners, Mendoza said. The sheriff said no surveillance cameras were found at home.
“I think everyone here understands that they are very personal individuals and very private families,” Mendoza said.
The sheriff’s office said Tuesday that the company that provides natural gas services to its home had not found any significant findings after searching for a gas leak. Carbon monoxideColorless odorless gas, which is deadly by robbing people of getting enough oxygen. Mendoza said last Friday that both bodies tested negative for carbon monoxide.
Hackman, who won an Oscar for his performance in 1971’s “French Connection” and 1992’s “Relentless” in the West, was awarded Sunday Academy Awards In Los Angeles.
“He received two Oscars, and more importantly, he won the hearts of film lovers around the world,” actor Morgan Freeman said of Hackman at the awards ceremony. “Gene always says, ‘I don’t think about heritage. I hope people remember me as someone who tried to do a good job.’ So when I say, I think I’m talking for all of us, Gene, you will be remembered for that, and for more. ”
Anna Schector contributed to this report.
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