Hollywood star Gene Hackman was left lonely, confused and starving in his heartbreaking final hours, with his autopsy report exposing an agonising detail about his struggle
Double Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman’s tragic final moments have been revealed after he died at least a week after his beloved wife, Betsy Arakawa.
Gene, 95, died in the mud room of his Santa Fe mansion days after his wife’s death in the bathroom from a rat-borne virus.
On Friday, police confirmed Gene had died from cardiovascular disease around February 18 – days after his 65-year-old wife succumbed to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome around February 11.
Authorities said the actor, whose battle with advanced Alzheimer’s was confirmed publicly on Friday, may not even have realised his wife had died.
Betsy was found lying on the bathroom floor with her head next to a space heater with thyroid medication pills around her.
It’s since been suggested the award-winning star spent several days wandering around their 9,000 square foot home without his partner of three decades to feed him or care for him. Betsy’s body was decomposing in the bathroom, and Gene, who was reportedly in “very poor health”, went without food.
The autopsy report showed his stomach was empty at the time of his demise.
Gene was found dead with his sunglasses and cane by his side in a room by his kitchen following an apparent fall. The last recorded activity on his pacemaker was on February 18, but the couple’s bodies were not found until over a week later.
Sadly, one of their dogs, Zinna, was found deceased at their home address in a crate. Meanwhile, a German Shepherd called 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.
Dr. Heather Jarrell, Chief Medical Investigator for the state of New Mexico, said no signs of internal or external trauma were found, and both of their deaths had been ruled as natural.
She added: “Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease. He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death.”
A source told DailyMail.com that while the couple’s home didn’t show any signs of rodent activity, some of the outbuildings had rodent droppings and other evidence of rodent activity.
Gene’s daughter, Elizabeth, had floated the idea that the couple had died from carbon monoxide poisoning, which authorities ruled out last week. Officials said there was no trace of carbon monoxide in the bodies of the pair.
Prior to his tragic death, Gene remained very much out of the spotlight. During his retirement, he painted a lot and wrote novels.
He also served on the board of trustees at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, and he and Betsy were investors in some local businesses.
