Gene Hackman dead at 95: Iconic actor and wife, 63, are found dead with their dog at Santa Fe home. #3

[Warwick1991]

Hmm. That's not usually how a diagnosis of Alzheimer's is done on autopsy. I think brain slices are still examined. If it could be done that way with a simple scan, it seems it could be done on living persons too with scans. But I think it's still a "rule out" diagnosis for living people. The assessment may include scans but doesn't stop there. And for severity labels, more than a scan is definitely needed. Memory tests and other assessments are needed.
MOO
.

My father died from Alzheimer's. A fairly definitive scan while he was alive showed extensive brain damage. A scan may be adequate, or perhaps the only choice due to PMI.

 

[priyaya]

I wonder if part of the reason he passed away is not taking his regulation meds?

 

[Andreee]

Advanced Alzheimers.

Enough said. Tragic.

 

[whitelilac]

He had Alzheimer's. I would guess he knew the body was there but was unable to call for help.

With advanced Alzheimer's he probably did not understand any odors. Maybe trying to go outside was an instinct to get some fresh air.

 

[arielilane]

Summary of today's press conference, AI generated.

On March 7, 2025, Santa Fe County, New Mexico officials held a press conference to provide updates on the investigation into the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 26, 2025, along with one of their dogs. The press conference included Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, New Mexico Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell, and New Mexico State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Erin Phipps.

Here’s a summary of the key points:

• Causes of Death: Dr. Heather Jarrell announced that Betsy Arakawa, aged 65, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and potentially fatal disease spread by rodents, likely contracted days before her death. Gene Hackman, aged 95, died of natural causes, specifically hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor. His death occurred approximately seven days after Arakawa’s, with the last activity recorded by his pacemaker on February 17, 2025.

• Timeline: Sheriff Mendoza provided a timeline indicating Arakawa was last known to be alive on February 11, 2025, based on her use of a fob to enter their gated community and unopened emails found on her computer. Hackman’s death is estimated around February 18, 2025, aligning with the pacemaker data. The couple’s bodies were discovered by a maintenance worker on February 26, suggesting they had been deceased for some time.

• Investigation Details: The deaths were initially deemed “suspicious” due to the circumstances—Arakawa was found in a bathroom with scattered thyroid medication pills (not a factor in her death) and a dead dog nearby, while Hackman was found in a mudroom with a cane and sunglasses. However, no signs of foul play or external trauma were found. Tests ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning, and the home showed no evidence of a gas leak or struggle.

• Additional Findings: One of the couple’s three dogs was found dead (initially identified as a German shepherd but later clarified as possibly an Australian kelpie mix named Xena), potentially from starvation given the timeline, as dogs do not contract hantavirus. The other two dogs were found alive. A necropsy on the deceased dog was pending to determine its cause of death.

• Health Context: Hackman’s advanced Alzheimer’s and prior heart issues (including a triple bypass) were noted, suggesting he may have been unable to seek help after Arakawa’s death. Arakawa’s last known activities on February 11 appeared normal, with no clear signs of illness reported from surveillance footage.

• Public Health Note: Dr. Phipps emphasized that hantavirus cases are not unusual in New Mexico, with no abnormal patterns observed, and the case did not indicate a broader public health threat.

The officials concluded that both deaths were from natural causes, resolving the initial suspicion, though some questions, like the exact source of Arakawa’s hantavirus exposure, remain unanswered pending further investigation. The press conference aimed to clarify the circumstances and reassure the community of no ongoing danger.

 

[Sunshynn]

I found it hard to watch it too. The Chief Medical Examiner seemed to be near tears, especially when answering several of the questions on the topic of ‘suffering’.

JMO

The press conference has also left me with a very heavy feeling.

Such a tragic end to three lives that were all a separate cause but because of each others.

I hope Gene, Betsy and Zinna are resting peacefully with each other.

 

[Kudzuu]

I listened to the whole press conference. I suggest you also listen before taking posts as fact. Some are questions. This is not to criticize anyone posting before listening. This was, IMO, a very complicated situation involving very private people and a death from a rare virus.

The doctors, especially the lady who did the autopsy was very careful how she responded so that she gave factual health information. The vet also explained the virus, transmission, etc . Dogs can't get it. People only get it from rodents not person to person.

The medical doctor was very respectful and said it was unusual for her to be involved in a press conference and the Hackman family knew the information.

You could tell from her body language and her careful responses to questions she was trying to answer questions she could as best she could.


I was impressed.
I hope Gene wasn't constantly aware of what had happened.

MOO

 

[Joe Friday]

The ME said that Gene had an abnormal heart rhythm that developed into Atrial fibrillation on the 18th.

Now I'm confessed.

Presser linked up to when ME made statement:

 

[priyaya]

The medical doctor was very respectful and said it was unusual for her to be involved in a press conference and the Hackman family knew the information.

She sounded so shaken by the whole experience

 

[formerreddingrunner]

you guessed it ! I would have not guessed that in a million years, It does make sense tho,. pest control I think bugs, but it could have been for mice. They did say infestation But I didn't catch where ? inside or out?
Sad that she died a week before him and he was alone, but at least if they are in their usual surroundings, they can do better cause they have a familiar structure.

He died exactly the same way my dad did, serious heart disease and advanced stage 4 vascular dementia. Eventually as dementia progresses, damage reaches the brainstem. which is responsible for controlling vital functions like breathing and swallowing. The Dr told me it was like those cartoons, where the trees crackled and eventually turned black and died.
So sad, I just hope he didmt hurt, and I hope he didn't remember much.

TBH, I can't take credit for it though. Someone else on this thread (either #1 or thread #2) suggested it first, IIRC. I think it was @MsEmmaPeel? It was really just my 3rd choice. I thought BA died first, but I wasn't sure of what. 1. Thyroid issue, she was reaching for her meds, got dizzy and hit her head, causing her death. 2. BA died of a cardiac event (even though she was reportedly in excellent, stranger things have happened). 3. Hantavirus was my third choice, however, when I saw the press conference would have the NM Department of Health there, then I started to wonder if it could indeed be hantavirus.

 

[Luna20]

they really like their privacy.


ALSO, let me tell you: taking care of someone with advanced Alzheimer's is all-consuming. And EXHAUSTING.

It’s all consuming. A lot more complicated than one would imagine. It really takes a team of people to provide 24-7 care regularly. A single caregiver isn’t going to fare well in order to maintain their own health.

 

[priyaya]

It’s all consuming. A lot more complicated than one would imagine. It really takes a team of people to provide 24-7 care regularly. A single caregiver isn’t going to fare well in order to maintain their own health.

this whole thing is a good lesson
to not isolate yourself
to take care of yourself
and hantavirus does kill

 

[ClearAhead]

they really like their privacy.


ALSO, let me tell you: taking care of someone with advanced Alzheimer's is all-consuming. And EXHAUSTING.

It is, that poor woman. And now as we know Gene suffered from advanced alzheimer’s despite prior videos appearing to indicate he had no severe physical limitations, the tragic events as described now make perfect sense IMO. And the manner of their deaths does not define their entire lives. JMO

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet#:~:text=Alzheimer's%20disease%20is%20a%20brain,first%20appear%20later%20in%20life.

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear later in life. Estimates vary, but experts suggest that more than 6 million Americans, most of them age 65 or older, may have Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s is currently ranked as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.

 

[Kudzuu]

She sounded so shaken by the whole experience

Yes!
She knew the importance of getting this right. I think that was why we got it from the horse's mouth so to speak.

She didn't want rumors spread and every single person shut down the sensational questions from reporters with specific facts.

 

[NuttMegg]

She said there was evidence of deer mouse droppings within out buildings. Now I wonder if they had a stash of dogfood in an open bldg, where she was exposed to it while always feeding the dogs, but Gene wasn't because he didn't go out there. And that would be how the other dogs kept feeding themselves after the deaths.

 

[priyaya]

Yes!
She knew the importance of getting this right. I think that was why we got it from the horse's mouth so to speak.

She didn't want rumors spread and every single person shut down the sensational questions from reporters with specific facts.

she also concluded saying actually commanding people to respect the family

 

[SortaSleuthy]

Confirmed Alzheimers? I missed the first part of the conference

Yes, late stage

 

[ClearAhead]

It’s all consuming. A lot more complicated than one would imagine. It really takes a team of people to provide 24-7 care regularly. A single caregiver isn’t going to fare well in order to maintain their own health.

What if Gene didn’t want to be placed in a care facility? If that was his wish I’d respect that. It’s not a lot different than DNR instructions.

 

[Luna20]

the exterminator is how they were found. usually its a monthly service so fits between vistis

Did they specifically say that they had exterminators on a monthly basis?

 

[Cherwell]

I hope that Gene wasn't alone for too long after his beloved fell ill. I think it is logical to assume that she died first and he died shortly after. Just because we last know that Betsy was alive on the 11th doesn't mean that is when she died. For the last week we've heard from many that she was somewhat reclusive and didn't really care to use cell phones, sticking primarily with email to communicate. So it is my hope that she died closer to the 17th, when Gene's pacemaker activity stopped.

Yes - she was last seen alive on the 11th, but we were also told that people with hantavirus feel ill for three to six days before it turns fatal. So she may have thought she had flu, and survived for nearly a week after the 11th.