Gene Hackman died of cardiovascular disease, while the wife died of Hantavirus: officials

The authorities revealed the causes of the death of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, more than a week after the couple was mysteriously dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Hackman died of “hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor,” said Dr. Heather Jarrell, a medical researcher head of the office of the state of the state of the state of the state. “The autopsy exam and a full -body CT Mortem CT Mortem exam did not demonstrate acute findings of internal or external trauma, and showed severe heart disease, including multiple surgical procedures that involve the heart, evidence of previous heart attacks and severe kidney changes due to chronic high blood pressure.”

Hackman probably died around February 18 and his wife probably died around February 11, he said.

Hackman was probably at home with his deceased wife for a week before he died, said the Sheriff of Santa Fe County, Adan Mendoza.

Arakawa died of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted through the urine of rodents, excrement or saliva, authorities said.

The centers for disease control and prevention said that the disease “initially causes flu -like symptoms that can progress to a more serious disease where people have problems breathing.”

The 95 -year -old academy prize actor, and his 65 -year -old wife, were found dead during a welfare check of February 26, without obvious signs of how they died, Sheriff’s office said.

The authorities said last week that the couple gave negative for carbon monoxide. The New Mexico gas company also concluded its research on carbon monoxide at home, saying that “there were no significant findings” of leaks.

The authorities said last week that their deaths were “of nature sufficiently suspicious to require an exhaustive search and investigation,” according to an affidavit of registration order.

Hackman was discovered on the floor of the mud room, according to the search warrant. It seemed that he fell suddenly, and he and his wife “showed obvious signs of death,” the document said.

It is believed that Hackman died on February 17, nine days before the bodies were found, said Mendoza, and pointed out that this was the date of the last “event” recorded in his pacemaker.

Arakawa was found lying sideways on the floor in a bathroom, with a space heater near his body, according to the search warrant. His body showed signs of decomposition; There was mummification in his hands and feet, according to the document.

In the counter near Arakawa there was an open recipe bottle, with scattered pills, according to the search warrant.

One of the three dogs of the couple was found dead in a box about 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa’s body, authorities said.

But his other two dogs were found alive. It seemed that they had access to a dog door; According to Mendoza, a dog was found near Arakawa and the other was located outside.