Actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were found dead in Santa Fe, New Mexico last month, shared a close bond that may have played a role in their passing. Arakawa took on the role of Hackman’s caregiver as he dealt with Alzheimer’s disease, which prevented him from performing daily tasks. She managed the household, helped him stay active, and protected him from illnesses.

Authorities in Santa Fe revealed on Friday that both Hackman and Arakawa died of natural causes. Hackman passed away due to heart disease, while Arakawa succumbed to a rare viral infection. It is believed that Arakawa died first, around 11 February, and that Hackman was unaware of his wife’s death. He likely spent days alone in the house, frail and disoriented, as he did not have a functioning heartbeat recorded after 18 February.

The couple’s bodies were discovered on 26 February when a maintenance worker contacted security due to no response at the door. Arakawa’s body was found on the bathroom floor, surrounded by spilled pills and a medicine bottle. She had been taking medications for thyroid, pain, and high blood pressure. Her body showed signs of “mummification,” indicating she had been deceased for some time.

One of their three dogs, Zinna, was also found dead in a crate. Hackman’s body was found in the mudroom, wearing slippers and near a cane. The New Mexico chief medical examiner confirmed that Arakawa died from hantavirus, a rare illness contracted through exposure to rodent droppings. Hackman’s Alzheimer’s and declining health contributed to his death.

The exact details of their final week remain unclear. Friends and neighbors reported how the couple had become increasingly withdrawn from public life, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. Arakawa took strong precautions to protect Hackman from illness, often wearing masks in public. On 11 February, surveillance footage showed her visiting a farmers market, a pharmacy, and a pet food store before returning to their gated community. She was never seen or heard from again, and investigators believe she stopped checking her emails that evening.

No evidence was found that anyone else had been caring for Hackman except Arakawa. Hackman’s decline contrasts with the successful life he had built. He moved to Santa Fe in the late 1980s and fell in love with the city’s landscape and artistic community. He won Oscars for his roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven.

Arakawa, a classical pianist from Hawaii, met Hackman while working at a Los Angeles fitness center. Their relationship developed despite their significant age difference. Friends describe Arakawa as a strong personality in her own right.

As Hackman’s health deteriorated, the couple became increasingly reclusive, especially after Covid-19. Hackman stopped attending Hollywood events and became home-bound. Arakawa tried to keep him active and engaged, but the couple’s privacy may have ultimately contributed to their tragic deaths.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/09/gene-hackman-final-days