Fresh details have emerged about the death of Betsy Arakawa, the wife of legendary actor Gene Hackman, following the release of her autopsy report.
Arakawa, a 65-year-old concert pianist, was found dead on February 26 alongside her husband, 95, and one of their dogs with carbon monoxide poisoning initially being considered as one of their three dogs was also found dead.
It later emerged that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-born disease, on February 12.
According to the autopsy, released on Tuesday, Arakawa’s lungs were described as “heavy and congested,” and she had fluid buildup in her chest.
The report also noted mild hardening of the arteries that supply blood to the heart and body.
She tested negative for COVID-19 and influenza and had no signs of physical trauma.
Her carbon monoxide levels were normal, and toxicology results showed the presence of caffeine but no alcohol or drugs.
Although Hantavirus, a rare, potentially deadly illness carried by rodent droppings, was considered, no confirmation has been made publicly linking it to her cause of death.
The release of Arakawa’s report comes days after autopsy results confirmed Hackman died from heart disease.
The report noted the Oscar winner had a “history of congestive heart failure” and “severe chronic hypertensive changes” affecting his kidneys, according to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, as reported by Fox News.
The report also confirmed Hackman had a “bi-ventricular pacemaker” fitted in 2019 and showed “neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer's Disease.”
The autopsy further detailed “severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease,” with evidence of coronary artery stents, a bypass graft, and a previous aortic valve replacement.
It also noted “remote myocardial infarctions”- large, old heart attacks - in his heart muscle. A microscopic examination of his brain confirmed "advanced stage Alzheimer’s disease."
However, Hackman tested negative for Hantavirus, the rare, rodent-borne virus that caused Arakawa’s death.
He is thought to have lived alone in the home for nearly a week before passing away around February 18 from severe heart disease, with Alzheimer's and kidney disease listed as contributing factors.
Following the discovery of their bodies, the New Mexico Department of Public Health conducted a full health inspection of the property.
Officials found dead rodents and nests across eight detached outbuildings on the grounds, describing the home as a “breeding ground” for hantavirus.
Arakawa’s devastating final Amazon order and Google searches before their deaths were recently revealed.
She ordered oxygen canisters from Amazon on February 11 - just one day before she died. They are intended for “respiratory support”, indicating that she or Hackman had been struggling to breathe.
Her internet searches also showed she was growing increasingly worried about her symptoms, with police finding Google searches for Covid symptoms while searching the couple’s home.
She had specifically searched "can Covid cause dizziness?", as well as "Flu and nosebleeds" in open bookmarks on her laptop dated February 8 and February 12.
Her final search was on the morning of February 12, hours before she died, looking for a healthcare provider in Santa Fe.
In an email to her masseuse, Arakawa had also said Hackman had woken up on February 11 with flu or cold-like symptoms but that a Covid test was negative and she would have to reschedule her appointment for the next day “out of an abundance of caution”.
