Gene Hackman and wife’s cause of death revealed weeks after passing


Full story

  • Following weeks of speculation and investigation, the cause of the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, is coming to light. Hackman reportedly died of cardiovascular disease while Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
  • Investigators believe Arakawa died first on Feb. 11, and Hackman’s pacemaker stopped transmitting activity on Feb. 18.
  • The cause of death of their dog, Zinna, has not been revealed.

Full Story

Weeks after their mysterious deaths, there’s finally an answer to the cause of deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. It appears his wife died nearly a week before him.

During a press conference, the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator said that the 95-year-old Hackman died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Advanced Alzheimer’s was also listed as a contributing factor.

Arakawa, 65, died about a week earlier due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The rare but serious respiratory disease is caused by the Sin Nombre virus, which spreads through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. 

As one of their dogs, Zinna, was also found dead, the medical examiner noted that dogs cannot contract hantavirus. It also cannot be passed from person to person.

Timeline of their final days

Investigators believe Arakawa died first. She picked up Zinna from a veterinary hospital on Feb. 9. 

On Feb. 11, she went to a farmers market, CVS, and a pet store before entering their gated community at 5:15 p.m. The last known contact with Arakawa was Feb. 11.

The prescribed pills scattered in the bathroom where she was found were Tylenol and medications used to treat her thyroid and high blood pressure. The medical examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, said the pills did not contribute to her death. 

Days later, on Feb. 18, Hackman’s pacemaker stopped transmitting activity. There was no food in his stomach and no signs of dehydration.

A maintenance worker discovered their bodies in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Feb. 26. Reports suggest Hackman, due to his Alzheimer’s, may not have been aware of his wife’s death.

Hackman’s legacy

Hackman, known for his roles in “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” retired from acting in 2004. His passing marks the loss of one of Hollywood’s most respected actors.

The couple had lived a quiet life in New Mexico for years. 

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Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left present a straightforward account of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's deaths, using neutral and factual language without emotional framing.
  • Not enough coverage from media outlets in the center to provide a bias comparison.
  • Media outlets on the right emphasize the welfare check leading to the discovery of the couple's bodies, suggesting negligence by family and adopting a more investigative tone.

Media landscape

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416 total sources

Key points from the Left

  • Gene Hackman died of heart disease and showed severe signs of Alzheimer's disease, according to Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell.
  • Dr. Jarrell indicated that Hackman was in a poor state of health and may not have been aware of his wife's death.

Report an issue with this summary

Key points from the Center

No summary available because of a lack of coverage.

Report an issue with this summary

Key points from the Right

  • Gene Hackman, aged 95, died of severe heart disease, while his wife, Betsy Arakawa, aged 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, confirmed by Dr. Heather Jarrell of the New Mexico Medical Investigator's Office.
  • Both individuals were found dead at their home in New Mexico during a welfare check on Feb. 26 after family had not spoken to them for some time.
  • Investigations ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning, and authorities noted their deaths were "natural" as per the medical examiner's reports.

Report an issue with this summary

Other (sources without bias rating):

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Full story

  • Following weeks of speculation and investigation, the cause of the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, is coming to light. Hackman reportedly died of cardiovascular disease while Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
  • Investigators believe Arakawa died first on Feb. 11, and Hackman’s pacemaker stopped transmitting activity on Feb. 18.
  • The cause of death of their dog, Zinna, has not been revealed.

Full Story

Weeks after their mysterious deaths, there’s finally an answer to the cause of deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. It appears his wife died nearly a week before him.

During a press conference, the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator said that the 95-year-old Hackman died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Advanced Alzheimer’s was also listed as a contributing factor.

Arakawa, 65, died about a week earlier due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The rare but serious respiratory disease is caused by the Sin Nombre virus, which spreads through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. 

As one of their dogs, Zinna, was also found dead, the medical examiner noted that dogs cannot contract hantavirus. It also cannot be passed from person to person.

Timeline of their final days

Investigators believe Arakawa died first. She picked up Zinna from a veterinary hospital on Feb. 9. 

On Feb. 11, she went to a farmers market, CVS, and a pet store before entering their gated community at 5:15 p.m. The last known contact with Arakawa was Feb. 11.

The prescribed pills scattered in the bathroom where she was found were Tylenol and medications used to treat her thyroid and high blood pressure. The medical examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, said the pills did not contribute to her death. 

Days later, on Feb. 18, Hackman’s pacemaker stopped transmitting activity. There was no food in his stomach and no signs of dehydration.

A maintenance worker discovered their bodies in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Feb. 26. Reports suggest Hackman, due to his Alzheimer’s, may not have been aware of his wife’s death.

Hackman’s legacy

Hackman, known for his roles in “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” retired from acting in 2004. His passing marks the loss of one of Hollywood’s most respected actors.

The couple had lived a quiet life in New Mexico for years. 

Tags: , ,

Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left present a straightforward account of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's deaths, using neutral and factual language without emotional framing.
  • Not enough coverage from media outlets in the center to provide a bias comparison.
  • Media outlets on the right emphasize the welfare check leading to the discovery of the couple's bodies, suggesting negligence by family and adopting a more investigative tone.

Media landscape

Click on bars to see headlines

416 total sources

Key points from the Left

  • Gene Hackman died of heart disease and showed severe signs of Alzheimer's disease, according to Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell.
  • Dr. Jarrell indicated that Hackman was in a poor state of health and may not have been aware of his wife's death.

Report an issue with this summary

Key points from the Center

No summary available because of a lack of coverage.

Report an issue with this summary

Key points from the Right

  • Gene Hackman, aged 95, died of severe heart disease, while his wife, Betsy Arakawa, aged 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, confirmed by Dr. Heather Jarrell of the New Mexico Medical Investigator's Office.
  • Both individuals were found dead at their home in New Mexico during a welfare check on Feb. 26 after family had not spoken to them for some time.
  • Investigations ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning, and authorities noted their deaths were "natural" as per the medical examiner's reports.

Report an issue with this summary

Other (sources without bias rating):

Powered by Ground News™