Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Donaldson Collection
Topics: Gene Hackman, Amazon, Celebrity, Film and TV
Callum Jones
Topics: Gene Hackman, Amazon, Celebrity, Film and TV
It has been revealed Gene Hackman's wife Betsy Arakawa made a heartbreaking Amazon order just hours before she passed away in February.
Classical pianist Arakawa, who had been married to Hackman for over 30 years, was found dead in the celebrity couple's New Mexico home on February 26.
When police arrived at the property, they discovered Hackman had also passed away in another room in the house, as well as one of the couple's dogs.
A subsequent investigation took place with officials later finding Arakawa and Hackman died at different times.
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Arakawa is believed to have passed away on or around February 12, while Behind Enemy Lines actor Hackman is estimated to have died on February 18.
The investigation also provided officials with answers as to how the celebrity couple died, and it was actually for different reasons.
Hackman's cause of death was put down to severe heart disease with Alzheimer's listed as a contributing factor, while Arakawa's cause of death was revealed as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) - a rare infectious disease linked to rodents.
The disease, which has seen US cases recorded in recent months, can cause flu-like symptoms and even develop into a life-threatening lung condition.
On February 11, Arakawa placed an Amazon order for oxygen canisters, with officials believing it was ordered as 'respiratory support' for either her or Gene.
A day beforehand, on February 10, Arakawa Googled 'can Covid cause dizziness?' as well as a search for 'flu and nosebleeds'.
The pianist is also believed to have phoned her massage therapist the next day to cancel an appointment, explaining Hackman was experiencing 'flu/cold-like symptoms' but that he had tested negative for Covid-19.
Authorities have also released dozens of documents and photographs of the love notes Hackman and Arakawa would write to each other.
One particularly tear-jerking note shows Hackman apologizing for needing his wife's help in organizing her own birthday.
The note read: "Good morning. Happy several days after your birthday. Sorry still about the dinner and having to ask for your help, although it was appreciated. Love you and the guys, G."
Arakawa was a carer for Hackman, though the Hollywood actor seemed to be aware of his condition.
"Ho, Ho, I am off to see the Wizard, the Wizz of Achie, Pokie. She stabs me here and stabs me there, she stabs me almost everywhere (almost)," he said in one note.
"But I survive because after [sic] I am still alive. (But some times just barely)."