Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa may have lay weak and dying of a rare rat disease in their luxury home as her disorientated, dementia-struck husband was unable to help her, a new report has revealed.
Authorities are slowly beginning to piece together Arakawa’s movements in the days leading up to her death.
Arakawa collected the couples’ dog Zinna from the vet on February 9, where the canine had undergone an operation, Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County said yesterday.
That may may shed some light on why the beloved 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix was found dead in a crate, only a few feet from Arakawa’s body.
Police confirmed on Friday that Arakawa, 65, succumbed to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in her bathroom somewhere around February 11.
That day, possibly hours before her death, Arakawa sent an email to her massage therapist before visiting a grocery store in the afternoon, The New York Times reported.
She was also caught on CCTV visiting a pharmacy where she was wearing a face mask, which Sheriff Mendoza said she did to avoid transporting any illnesses to her medically vulnerable, older husband.
Arakawa also stopped at a local pet food store later that afternoon before returning to her local area at approximately 5.15 pm, the sheriff said.
Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Hackman attend Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 21, 1994 at Morton’s Restaurant in West Hollywood, California
Hackman, 95, died from heart disease a week after his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65 (pictured in 2024) succumbed to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome – and police said the Alzheimer’s stricken star may not have known she was dead
Hackman and Arakawa are seen with two unidentified dogs. One of their dogs Zinna also died in their home in a crate
She did not respond to any emails after that day, leading police to believe that was the day she passed.
Arakawa died of a lung infection spread from rats, authorities revealed yesterday in the latest twist in the case.
Medical investigators in New Mexico said in a press conference Friday that Arakawa, 65, was infected with hantavirus which caused a deadly build-up of fluid in her lungs, known medically as hentavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).
HPS is so rare in the US that only one or two people die every year, and there have only been around 1,000 cases in the past three decades, mostly among farmers, hikers and campers and homeless populations.
The virus is spread through the inhalation of airborne particles containing the virus, which is typically found in the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents.
HPS, which initially presents with flu like symptoms, can progress rapidly, leading to breathing problems, low blood pressure, and organ failure.
The scene of chaos in the bathroom tells a grim tale of a swift decline by Arakawa.
She was found lying on the floor with her head next to a space heater with thyroid medication pills scattered around her.
Unforgiven star Hackman may have wandered around the sprawling 9000 square foot home (pictured), lost and confused, for seven days with the couple’s dogs running loose
Unforgiven star Hackman may have wandered around the sprawling 9000 square foot home, lost and confused, for seven days – without his partner of three decades by his side to feed and care for him, or look after their three treasured dogs,
Left to fend for himself and with his wife’s body decomposing in their bathroom, Hackman, who was already in ‘very poor health’, went without food.
An autopsy showed his stomach was empty at the time of his death.
Hackman was found dead with his cane and sunglasses by his side in a room just off the kitchen following an apparent fall – hinting he may have been on his way out of the home before his weak heart gave in.
His pacemaker’s last recorded activity was on February 18 – but help would not arrive until over a week later.
The reclusive couple’s dogs, who were lovingly cared for by the couple, were also left alone.
Their pet Zinna, who had been picked up by Arakawa from a veterinary hospital on February 9 – two days before her death – was found dead in a a kennel in a bathroom closet about 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa’s partially mummified remains.
Officials believe the animal had been crated due to the recent medical care it had received.
A German Shepherd named Bear and a second dog named Nikita were found running around the 12 acre property – with a dog door allowing them access to food and water.
