Gene Hackman's wife died from hantavirus, autopsy confirms
Share and Follow

Betsy Arakawa, the concert pianist who was married to actor Gene Hackman, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to an autopsy report that said that her lungs were heavy and congested.

Arakawa, 65, had fluid accumulation in her chest and mild hardening of the vessels that supplied blood to the heart and body, according to the autopsy reports on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST).

Hantavirus is a rare but potentially fatal disease spread by infected rodent droppings.

FILE – Actor Gene Hackman arrives with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, for the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) (AP)

Arakawa tested negative for COVID-19 and the flu and showed no signs of trauma, the autopsy report said. Her carbon monoxide levels were within normal range, and she tested positive for caffeine and negative for alcohol and intoxicating drugs.

Arakawa’s autopsy and toxicology reports were released two days after similar documents on Hackman’s death were made public, confirming his main cause of death was heart disease.

The 95-year-old actor also was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease and likely had not eaten for a long time, according to his autopsy. He tested negative for hantavirus.

Records released earlier in the investigation showed Arakawa made phone calls and internet searches as she scoured for information on flu-like symptoms and breathing techniques.

A photo provided by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office during the course of their investigation and search of the home of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, where the two were found dead on Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Santa Fe County Sheriff via AP) (AP)

Recently released videos outline the scope of the investigation into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa.

Before they understood how Hackman and Arakawa died, authorities recorded themselves conducting interviews with workers and returning to Hackman’s home to search for more evidence.

Detectives searched the home in early March for Arakawa’s laptop and other clues.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Quoting religious texts could be exempted from new hate speech laws

Religious Text Exemptions Spark Debate in New Hate Speech Legislation

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on journalists to delve into the…
Protest death toll surges past 2000

Global Outcry: Protest Fatalities Exceed 2,000 Mark, Sparking International Concern

The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran has surpassed 2000 people,…
Jessica Evans

Navigating Gender Transition in the UK: Expat Jess Faces $5K Challenge for Legal Changes

An Australian expat and trans woman says the United Kingdom refuses to…

Trump Urges Iranians to Persist in Protests, Promises Support on the Horizon

US President Donald Trump urged Iranians on Tuesday to keep protesting and…

Victoria Bushfires Devastate Over 700 Properties: Premier Addresses Evacuation Controversy

Volunteer firefighters are being urged not to blame themselves for a devastating…
Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah.

South Australian Premier Faces Defamation Lawsuit by Renowned Author: Legal Battle Unfolds

Abdel-Fattah has taken legal action against Premier Malinauskas, alleging defamation after he…
Suzanne Lee Milgate was found guilty in December after being filmed hitting then-chief minister Natasha Fyles with the thin pastry.

Viral Crepe Incident: Woman Receives Sentence for Targeting Chief Minister

A woman who made headlines for throwing a cream crepe at a…
'Number one target': AFP boss speaks on Iraqi arrest of alleged kingpin

AFP Chief Hails Capture of Notorious Iraqi Kingpin as Top Priority Success

The capture of Kazem Hassad, a man believed to be a major…