Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa: Final Autopsy Reports Reveal Cause of Death

Final autopsy reports for Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have been released. According to the findings, Hackman, 95, passed away due to severe heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s contributing to his condition. The reports indicated he had not eaten for several days prior to his death, showing a low level of acetone in his system. Tests ruled out the presence of alcohol or drugs.

Hackman had a history of heart issues, including multiple surgeries, congestive heart failure, and an aortic valve replacement. He was given a pacemaker in 2019, which showed an abnormal rhythm on the day he likely died. Additionally, his carbon monoxide levels were within the normal range, falling below 5%.

Betsy Arakawa’s autopsy revealed that she died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease caused by infected rodent droppings. Her lungs were filled with fluid, and while there was mild hardening of the vessels supplying blood to her heart, tests for Covid-19 and the flu came back negative. Like Hackman, she showed no signs of trauma, and her carbon monoxide levels were normal.

Investigators discovered that Arakawa had researched symptoms online, including for Covid and the flu, and had made several calls to a health clinic seeking treatment around February 12, but she did not receive any.

Notably, Hackman tested negative for hantavirus, suggesting that he may have been shielded from the illness that affected Arakawa.

The couple, married since 1991 and known for their privacy, were found along with their deceased dog by maintenance workers on February 26. This tragic event has sparked conversations online about the importance of health check-ups, particularly among older adults.

In the context of public health, cases like these highlight the ongoing need for awareness about rare diseases, such as hantavirus. Experts emphasize the importance of recognizing symptoms early and seeking medical help promptly. It serves as a reminder that while our loved ones may seem fine, underlying health issues often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

For more information on hantavirus, you can visit the CDC’s official page here.

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