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Gene Hackman, autopsy reveals: prolonged fasting before death

The actor died of natural causes aggravated by Alzheimer’s, while his wife died of a hantavirus infection. The rodent-infested house and isolation allegedly contributed to the tragedy

Gene Hackman had not eaten for an extended period before he died. This is confirmed by the definitive autopsy results, which reveal a blood acetone value of 5.3 mg/dl, well above the limit considered normal (0.3 mg/dl). This suggests a state of ketoacidosis, compatible with extreme fasting, diabetes or isopropyl alcohol metabolism.

The bodies of the 95-year-old actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found on 26 February in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Both were already in a state of partial mummification, along with the lifeless body of one of their dogs. The mysterious circumstances of the discovery had initially suggested a carbon monoxide leak, a hypothesis, however, ruled out by subsequent toxicological tests.

Cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s: the causes of Hackman’s death

The final details, released by the local authorities and reported by Fox News, confirm the initial findings: Hackman died of severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, aggravated by congestive heart failure and chronic kidney damage. His pacemaker also revealed signs of previous heart attacks.

Examination of his brain showed the presence of microscopic lesions typical of an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s disease, which according to the coroner was a decisive factor in his deterioration and failure to seek help after his wife’s death.

Betsy Arakawa’s death: hantavirus and ignored signs

The cause of death was different for Betsy Arakawa, who suffered from an infection with hantavirus, a rare rodent-borne disease. The infestation in the home was confirmed during the investigation by the police, who also analysed the woman’s computer. Between 8 and 11 February, Betsy had carried out numerous online searches on Covid-19 and flu symptoms, until she consulted a doctor at the Cloudberry Center in Santa Fe.

In an e-mail sent to her masseuse on 11 February, the woman wrote that her husband had been tested for Covid after showing flu-like symptoms. Just on 11 February, Betsy died, while Gene Hackman passed away on 18 February, probably without calling for help due to his worsening Alzheimer’s disease.

Silent tragedy in the Hackman household: poisoning ruled out

The hypothesis of carbon monoxide poisoning has been definitively ruled out: tests revealed a carboxyhaemoglobin level of less than 5%, which is considered normal. The dynamics of the deaths thus seem to be attributable to a tragic concatenation of natural events and the isolation in which the couple lived, made worse by the actor’s neurodegenerative disease.

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