Gene Hackman Died a Week After Wife’s Death from Rare Hantavirus, Officials Say

SANTA FE, USA — Gene Hackman, the Oscar-winning actor, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead after they passed away for days in their Santa Fe residence last month, officials confirmed on Friday, March 7, 2025.

Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, while Hackman, who was in an advanced state of Alzheimer’s disease, likely died a week later, authorities said.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office has described the deaths as “suspicious” but found no immediate signs of foul play or external trauma.

Their bodies were discovered on February 26, 2025, after a maintenance worker entered the home and contacted authorities.

Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, said in a statement that Hackman, 94, died from “hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor.”

“I can tell you that he was in an advanced state of Alzheimer’s, and it’s quite possible he was not aware” his wife had died, Jarrell said.

Hantavirus Infection Confirmed in Arakawa

According to medical examiners, Arakawa’s cause of death was hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but often fatal disease transmitted by rodents.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, states that hantaviruses spread through rodent droppings, urine, and saliva, leading to severe respiratory distress and organ failure.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, muscle aches, coughing, and, in severe cases, lung and heart failure.

Hackman tested negative for the virus, Jarrell said.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that Arakawa was last seen alive on February 11.

Hackman is believed to have died on or around February 18, based on data from his pacemaker, which last recorded an event the previous day.

Discovery of the Bodies

Authorities found Hackman in a mudroom and Arakawa in a bathroom, where a prescription pill bottle and scattered pills were found on the counter.

However, Jarrell said the pills—thyroid medication—were being taken as prescribed and were not a factor in her death.

A dog was also found dead in a closet near Arakawa.

Initially believed to be a German shepherd, the animal was later identified as the couple’s Australian kelpie mix, Xena.

Mendoza said Friday that Xena is undergoing a necropsy to determine the cause of death, adding that starvation is a possibility given the timeline of the couple’s deaths.

Officials said dogs cannot contract hantavirus.

Two other dogs were found alive in the home and are now in the care of a Santa Fe pet facility.

No Signs of Foul Play

While investigators have described the deaths as suspicious, they have found no evidence of external trauma or foul play.

The case remains under investigation as officials await the final necropsy results for the dog and complete their review of the medical and forensic evidence.

Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, was best known for his roles in The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums.

He had largely retired from public life in recent years, living in Santa Fe with Arakawa, his wife of nearly four decades.