Authorities revealed on Friday that actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease and showed severe signs of Alzheimerโs disease a full week after his wife died of hantavirus in their home.
Authorities initially ruled out foul play after the bodies were discovered on February 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative.
Chief Medical Investigator Heather Jarrell said it was possible that Hackman was not aware his wife was deceased in their home.
โMr Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimerโs disease,โ Jarrell said. โHe was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately thatโs what resulted in his death.โ
Hackman, 95, was found in the homeโs entryway. His death was tied to heart disease with Alzheimerโs disease contributing.
Betsy Arakawa, 65, was found with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the bathroom counter. Authorities linked her death to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease spread by infected rodent droppings.