Featured Image Credit: Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Topics: Gene Hackman, Celebrity, News, Police, US News
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Gene Hackman, Celebrity, News, Police, US News
A timeline of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa's deaths has been revealed.
On February 26, Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in the New Mexico home, alongside one of their three dogs.
It was later reported that the pair were likely to have been deceased for some time before their bodies were discovered.
It was a concerned neighbor who called police and suggested a welfare check on the celebrity pair that lead to them being discovered.
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There was much speculation about how Hackman and Arakawa died, with the actor's daughter suggesting that it was as a result of a carbon monoxide leak in their home.
But, speaking at a press conference yesterday (March 7), police confirmed that the couple died from different causes at different times.
Chief medical examiner Dr Heather Jarrell confirmed the pair's cause of death.
She said: "The cause of death for Mr. Gene Hackman, aged 95 years, is hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor."
Dr Jarrell also confirmed Arakawa died of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, adding 'the manner of death is natural'.
"Autopsy examination and full body post mortem CT demonstrated no findings of trauma internally or externally with microscopic findings consistent with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome," Dr Jarrell went on to say of the late classic pianist.
In an even sadder update, because of Hackman's Alzheimer's disease, it's unlikely he new that his wife had died in the days leading up to his own passing.
When asked at yesterday's press conference if Hackman knew of Arakawa's death, Dr Jarrell answered, as per The Independent: "I think that question is difficult to answer, but I can tell you that he was in an advanced state of Alzheimer's, and it's quite possible that he was not aware that she was deceased."
It's believed that Hackman died on or around February 18 — some days before he and his wife were found.
Dr Jarrell told the press conference: "Mr Hackman’s initial pacemaker data revealed cardiac activity on February 17, with subsequent pacemaker interrogation demonstrating an abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation on February 18, which was the last record of heart activity.
"Based on this information, it is reasonable to conclude that Mr Hackman probably died around February 18."
Elsewhere, Arakawa is thought to have died on February 11, with that date 'being the last time that she was known to be alive'.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].