Actor Gene Hackman with wife Betsy Arakawa are seen in June 1993. (The Associated Press)
Hollywood and fans worldwide are mourning the loss of legendary actor Gene Hackman, who passed away at the age of 95. His wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, also died a week before him under tragic circumstances. Authorities revealed that Hackman succumbed to heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s, while Arakawa’s death was linked to a rare rodent-borne illness.
The Heartbreaking Discovery
The couple’s partially mummified bodies were found on February 26 at their Santa Fe home. Concerned maintenance and security workers alerted police after discovering the tragic scene. Investigations revealed that Arakawa likely passed away on February 11 due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but deadly disease transmitted through rodent droppings.
Hackman, suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s, may not have realized his wife had died. With no one to care for him and in a weakened state, his condition deteriorated. Forensic experts believe his pacemaker showed its last activity on February 18, marking the day of his passing.
A City in Shock
Santa Fe, a haven for artists and celebrities, was shaken by the news. Friends and acquaintances of the couple expressed their sorrow. Stuart Ashman, co-owner of the Artes de Cuba gallery, who often met Hackman at a local Pilates studio, said, “All of us who knew him should have checked on him. It’s just really sad.”
Authorities confirmed both deaths were from natural causes. However, investigations remain open as they analyze the couple’s cellphones and await the necropsy report of one of their three dogs, which was also found dead.
Understanding the Disease That Took Arakawa’s Life
Hantavirus is most common in spring and summer and spreads through contact with infected rodent droppings. It can cause severe lung infections, often proving fatal. This was the first reported hantavirus case in New Mexico this year.
Experts are unsure how quickly Arakawa succumbed to the disease. Given Hackman’s condition, he was likely unable to seek help or even comprehend what had happened.
Remembering Gene Hackman
Hackman, a two-time Oscar-winning actor, starred in classics like The French Connection, Superman, and Hoosiers. After retiring from Hollywood in the early 2000s, he devoted his time to painting and writing novels.
Arakawa, a trained concert pianist from Hawaii, met Hackman in the 1980s while working at a California gym. The couple spent their later years investing in local businesses and contributing to Santa Fe’s art scene.
Their untimely passing marks the end of an era. The world has lost not just a Hollywood icon but also a beloved couple who found solace away from the limelight.
