The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator announced the causes of death of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

Hackman died of heart disease and complications caused by Alzheimer’s disease, and Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

The couple was found deceased, alongside their dog, in their home on February 26th.

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Per USA TODAY:

Hackman’s pacemaker last showed activity on Feb. 18, according to the medical investigar, so Hackman “probably died on Feb. 18.” It appears that Arakawa died first, according to the medical investigator. Hackman likely didn’t know his wife had died, the investigator said, citing his Alzheimers disease.

It did not appear that there was any communication from Hackman or Arakawa after Feb. 11.

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Arakawa died from Hantavirus, which is a rare disease that humans can contract from contact with rodents like rats and mice, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva. Hantavirus cannot pass from person to person, and dog cannot contract Hantavirus.

Deputies had found the 95-year-old actor and Arakawa, 64, deceased at around 1:45 p.m. on Feb. 26. “Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths,” the spokesperson said at the time, as the sheriff’s office investigated. But they did call the deaths suspicious.

KTLA reports:

Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26. Hackman was found on the floor of the home’s mudroom alongside a walking cane and sunglasses, and Arakawa was found on a bathroom floor near a space heater. One of their dogs was discovered dead nearby.

An open prescription bottle was also found near Arakawa’s body, with pills scattered on the bathroom countertop. The medical examiner clarified Friday the pills were thyroid medications, which were being taken as prescribed and not believed to have contributed to her death.

A responding deputy had previously said he believed Hackman and Arakawa may have both fallen abruptly based on the position of the items found near their bodies, according to an affidavit. He observed no “immediate” signs of trauma, the document indicated. The medical examiner confirmed both Hackman and Arakawa had no signs of internal or external trauma.

The bodies did, however, show signs of decomposition, bloating and, at least in Arakawa’s case, “mummification” of her hands, the deputy said.

An investigation later determined that Hackman’s pacemaker had registered its last activity on Feb. 17, indicating the couple likely died over a week before they were discovered.

 

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