Content warning: Some readers may find details of this story distressing due to themes such as death, disease, and tragic circumstances. Caution is advised.
The deaths of Oscar award-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, sent shockwaves around the world when the news was announced on February 26, 2025.
According to PEOPLE, the couple have since been laid to rest in a private memorial in Santa Fe, which was attended by the actor’s three children.
A devastating loss
In a statement released by Gene’s family shortly after his death was announced, they wrote that the Hollywood icon would be missed “sorely” and that they were “devastated” by the loss.
“He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa.”
While Gene starred in more than 100 films over the course of his career, he was best known for his roles in The Conversation, Bonnie and Clyde, The French Connection, Unforgiven, and countless more.
He earned four Golden Globes, two British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), and one Screen Actors Guild Award for his contribution to the arts.
What was the cause of the death of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa?
On March 7, the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Betsy Arakawa passed away on February 11 from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome and that her husband, Gene Hackman, passed away seven days later from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
It is believed that February 18 was the date of Gene’s passing, as that was when his pacemaker last recorded his heartbeat. In the days before this, the medical device recorded that he was experiencing atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm).
Speaking with the media, Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell said that Alzheimer’s had also played a significant role in Gene’s tragic passing.
“Autopsy examination and a full body post-mortem CT examination demonstrated no acute findings of internal or external trauma, and showed severe heart disease including multiple surgical procedures involving the heart, evidence of prior heart attacks, and severe changes of the kidneys due to chronic high blood pressure,” the doctor concluded.
“Mr. Hackman [also] showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease. He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think that’s what resulted in his death.”
It is believed that Betsy was the sole carer of her husband up until her passing and that Gene may not have been aware that his wife had succumbed to her illness.
“I think what [happened] here is he didn’t realise, he didn’t understand that she was dead. He didn’t understand that he needed to call 911,” forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden explained to Fox News.
“It sounds like he’s kind of wandered around, was able to drink water from…[the] kitchen sink or even get some food from the refrigerator…[he] probably couldn’t cook anything but could eat bread or something if he was hungry.”
While instances of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome are rare, the viral illness can be potentially life-threatening and has a mortality rate of between 38 and 50 per cent in the southwestern United States, where Betsy and Gene resided.
It is obtained when an individual breathes air that’s contaminated by rodent urine and droppings and can cause shortness of breath, flu-like symptoms, and fatal lung or heart failure.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff had previously confirmed that there were no signs of foul play in the couple’s tragic death.
The bodies of Gene, Betsy, and their 12-year-old Australian kelpie mix Zinna were discovered by two tradesmen on February 26, who entered the US$4 million dollar home after having concerns over their well-being. The couple had not been seen in a fortnight.
Zinna was sadly locked in a dog crate as she was recovering from a medical procedure and passed away from dehydration and starvation after being trapped due to the death of her owners.
When were Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa last seen in public?
Betsy was last seen in public on the day of her death via surveillance footage that showed her visiting several stories in Santa Fe before driving back to the home she shared with Gene at around 5:15 pm.
Gene Hackman was last seen almost a year ago in Santa Fe alongside his wife, Betsy, as they enjoyed a meal together. Earlier that same day, they were spotted by eagle-eyed fans at a petrol station where Gene purchased a cup of coffee and an apple pie.
Prior to that, the reclusive actor was last seen in 2023, also at a gas station.
In fact, since retiring from acting in 2004, Gene had retreated almost entirely from public life, despite his stardom. His wife, Betsy, was seen in public mere hours before her estimated time of death visiting a Sprouts Farmers Market, a CVS pharmacy, and a pet food store.
