'I Think He Didn't Understand That She Was Dead': Pathologist Revealed Details About Gene Hackman's Final Days After His Wife Passed Away

When a maintenance worker entered Gene Hackman's Santa Fe home, the scene inside told a tragic story. Investigators later confirmed that the actor's wife had died first, leaving Hackman alone in the house. His deteriorating health, combined with his cognitive decline, likely prevented him from seeking help.

For years, Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa lived a private life away from Hollywood's spotlight, enjoying the quiet surroundings of their New Mexico home. But in February 2025, their deaths stunned friends and neighbors.

Authorities later pieced together a timeline of events that suggested Hackman had spent his final days in isolation. Now, medical examiners and forensic experts have confirmed that Arakawa's sudden death left Hackman without care.

Arakawa's Last Known Movements Before She Vanished

On February 11, Arakawa was seen running errands in Santa Fe, stopping at a local grocery store and pharmacy. Surveillance footage captured her walking through the aisles of a CVS, wearing a mask, possibly due to an illness.

That same day, she sent what would be her last known email. After that, she stopped responding to messages. Her absence did not go unnoticed.

Staff at Gruda Veterinary Hospital, where she regularly purchased prescription food for her dogs, tried calling her a week later when she failed to pick up an order. Friends later recalled that Arakawa was meticulous about her routines, especially when it came to her pets, and her sudden silence was out of character.

Authorities later confirmed that she had died inside the home, but the cause of death was unlike anything they initially suspected.

The Rare Virus That Took Arakawa's Life

Authorities determined that Arakawa had died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a rare but often fatal disease transmitted by rodents. The New Mexico Department of Health confirmed the cause of death after an autopsy, classifying it as natural.

Hantavirus is primarily spread through exposure to rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. Dr. Rhys Parry, a molecular virologist, explained that humans can contract the virus by breathing in contaminated particles, particularly in enclosed spaces where rodents have nested.

While infections are rare, they can be deadly, with New Mexico recording some of the highest fatality rates in the country. Officials noted that the couple's home itself showed a low risk of exposure, but rodents had been found in other structures on the property.

With the virus known to cause severe respiratory failure, experts believe Arakawa's condition may have worsened suddenly, leaving her unable to seek help. With no one else in the house to call for emergency assistance, she likely died where she collapsed.

Hackman's Final Days in Isolation

With Arakawa gone, Hackman was left alone in their Santa Fe home. Investigators now believe that due to his advanced Alzheimer's, he may not have realized his wife had died or understood the need to call for help.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden examined the case and suggested that Hackman likely continued living in the home for days without realizing something was amiss.

"I think what [happened] here is he didn't realize it and … didn’t understand that she was dead. He didn't understand that he needed to call 911," Dr. Baden explained. Authorities estimate that Hackman remained alive for nearly a week after Arakawa's death.

His pacemaker data recorded its last activity on February 18, suggesting that was likely the day he passed away. During that time, experts believe he may have wandered the house, drinking water from the sink and eating whatever food he could find.

Dr. Baden noted that Hackman probably couldn't cook meals but may have been able to eat bread or other readily available items. As Hackman's health deteriorated, he remained alone, with no one to check on him.

The secluded nature of their home meant that no neighbors noticed anything unusual, and it wasn't until a maintenance worker discovered their bodies that the tragic reality became clear.

The Discovery of Their Bodies and Autopsy Findings

In late February, a maintenance worker arrived at the couple's Santa Fe home and found both Hackman and Arakawa deceased. Authorities were called to the scene, and an investigation into their deaths began immediately.

A full autopsy on Hackman was performed by Dr. Heather Jarrell, Chief Medical Investigator for New Mexico. The results showed that Hackman suffered from severe heart disease, evidence of prior heart attacks, and chronic kidney damage caused by high blood pressure.

His official cause of death was ruled as hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease listed as a contributing factor. Dr. Jarrell noted that Hackman had been in very poor health before his death.

His Alzheimer's had advanced significantly, and his overall physical condition had declined. "I'm not aware of what his normal daily functioning capability was," she stated, "but he was in a very poor state of health, and he had significant heart disease. And I think ultimately that is what resulted in his death."

Investigators confirmed that Hackman had not been infected with hantavirus, meaning his death was unrelated to the disease that took his wife's life.

Arakawa's Role as Hackman's Caregiver

In the years leading up to their deaths, Arakawa had become Hackman's primary caregiver, managing nearly every aspect of his daily life as his Alzheimer's progressed. Friends and neighbors noted that she handled everything from scheduling his activities to monitoring his diet due to his ongoing heart issues.

Arakawa's longtime friend, Susan Contreras, described her as an independent and strong-willed person who was deeply committed to Hackman's well-being. "That part never came to mind because they seemed equal in so many ways," Contreras said, addressing the couple's 30-year age gap.

Aside from caring for his health, Arakawa played a key role in Hackman's later years, even assisting with his writing projects. After retiring from acting in 2004, Hackman spent much of his time working on novels, which Arakawa would type and edit by hand.

Her sudden death not only left Hackman emotionally alone but also without the essential care he needed. Medical experts believe that without Arakawa, his already fragile condition rapidly declined, making it unlikely he could survive on his own.

Hackman's Life Away from Hollywood

Before his health declined, Hackman embraced a quiet life in Santa Fe, New Mexico, far from the Hollywood spotlight. After retiring from acting in 2004 following his final film, "Welcome to Mooseport," he dedicated his time to writing, outdoor activities, and philanthropy.

Locals often spotted him riding his e-bike well into his late 80s, dining at small roadside restaurants, or playing golf with friends. Despite his fame, he chose a simple and private lifestyle, avoiding public appearances and interviews.

Over time, however, Hackman and Arakawa became increasingly reclusive. Friends and neighbors noticed that after the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple rarely ventured out.

Following his death, Hackman's family released a statement, acknowledging the loss of a man who was not only a celebrated actor but also a devoted father and grandfather. "He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa," the statement read.

Before authorities confirmed the causes of Hackman and Arakawa's deaths, speculation ran rampant, with many offering theories about what may have happened. Among them was Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya, who weighed in after officials admitted to errors in the initial investigation, raising even more questions about the case.

The mystery surrounding the couple's deaths deepened as officers investigated new findings. New Mexico officials found Hackman, Arakawa, and one of their dogs dead in their home on February 26, 2025.

Detectives deemed the circumstances "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation" because the authorities discovered the front door unsecured and open.

Maintenance workers Jesse Kesler and Roland Lowe Begay, who reportedly hadn't seen the couple in about two weeks, discovered them. Kesler, their personal contractor for 16 years, made the urgent 911 call.

Inside the home, the couple was unresponsive, a distressing sight that left him shaken. When deputies arrived, they observed a healthy dog roaming the property and another near Arakawa's body. A third dog was found dead inside a bathroom closet, approximately 10 to 15 feet away from her.

However, new details later clarified the deceased animal's identity. Early reports incorrectly stated that the dog was a German Shepherd.

It was later revealed to be Zinna, a 12-year-old reddish Australian Kelpie mix that had once trained in agility for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Joey Padilla, who took in the surviving dogs at Santa Fe Tails, confirmed that Zinna was found inside a closed crate.

Meanwhile, investigators also noted a displaced heater, an open pill bottle with pills scattered nearby, and Hackman's body in a different room. As for Arakawa, she was discovered in the bathroom, lying on her right side near the countertop.

A black space heater was positioned close to her head, leading authorities to consider whether it had been knocked over during a sudden fall.

Arakawa's body showed signs of decomposition, including facial bloating and mummification in her hands and feet, indicating she had been deceased for some time.

Meanwhile, Hackman was found fully clothed in a separate room off the kitchen. His sunglasses were beside him, raising suspicions that he may have collapsed unexpectedly.

Despite initial concerns about a possible gas leak, authorities ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning following "extensive testing" at the couple's home.

The New Mexico Gas Company confirmed, "As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence."

With gas leaks ruled out, Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya offered insight into the possible timeframe of Hackman and Arakawa's deaths.

Though he was not among the first responders, he pointed out that both bodies were in a similar state, suggesting they may have died around the same time. He also noted that the property was expansive and covered over 9,000 square feet with three separate structures.

The property's layout presented challenges, but officials confirmed that Hackman, Arakawa, and their dog were all found within the same structure. Moya shared that a paramedic returning from the scene relayed this information.

In addition, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza disclosed that Hackman's pacemaker last recorded activity on February 17, 2025. Investigators believe this was likely the day he passed, as his body was not discovered until nine days later.

Meanwhile, Moya stated that during his three years in the role, the fire department and emergency medical services had never been called to the couple's residence before this incident. He also confirmed that their involvement in the investigation ended on February 27, 2025, with the case now fully under the sheriff's department.

Authorities are still working to piece together the circumstances surrounding Hackman and Arakawa's deaths, but many details remain unclear. As investigators retrace the couple's final days, they continue gathering evidence to determine what led to their deaths.

That said, medical experts have offered possible explanations. James Gill, Chief Medical Examiner in Connecticut, is not involved in the case but provided insight into similar situations.

He ruled out the likelihood of a "companion suicide," explaining, "I've seen cases like that — usually they're together in bed. The fact that they're in two separate locations tells me that I think that's less likely."

Gill suggested that Hackman's medical history could have played a role. "From the initial kind of circumstances, it seems like he may have collapsed — he's got a history of heart disease. He's got a pacemaker. So that would not be unusual," he said.

While the actor's medical history may explain his sudden collapse, questions remain about Arakawa's death and whether it was connected to his. Gill suggested that the stress of witnessing a loved one's death can sometimes trigger a fatal response.

According to him, in some cases, extreme emotional shock can lead to a natural death. Another possibility, he said, is that Arakawa may have passed first, and Hackman collapsed while trying to get help.

Given his age and history of heart disease, Gill explained that this scenario was just as likely, though an autopsy would determine if Arakawa had any underlying health conditions.

Although uncommon, Gill acknowledged that two people dying naturally within a short time frame — sometimes called a "broken heart-type thing" — has been known to occur. The shock of discovering a deceased loved one can cause a surge of adrenaline, potentially leading to an irregular heartbeat.

He also pointed out that in some cases, grief can lead individuals to take their own lives, sometimes through medication or other means. However, he emphasized that toxicology testing would be necessary to rule out any involvement of substances.

According to Gill, autopsy and toxicology results would ultimately provide answers, adding that without those findings, any conclusions at this stage would be speculative. He also dismissed the possibility of a scenario where a dependent person dies after their caregiver suddenly passes, as Hackman was mobile and able to care for himself.

Gill noted that certain pacemakers and defibrillators track heart rhythms using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which could help pinpoint the time of death.

As investigators search for answers, those who knew the couple remember them as devoted animal lovers who treated their dogs like family. Friends described Hackman as a lifelong German Shepherd enthusiast, deeply committed to the well-being of his pets.

Their sudden deaths, along with one of their dogs, have left friends and the community stunned. While the cause remains unknown, those close to them insist they would never endanger their pets.

Steff Smith, founder of the Southwest German Shepherd Society, described Hackman as a "softy" who teared up when adopting his first dog. He and Arakawa later adopted two more and remained loyal supporters of the organization.

The couple became increasingly private in recent years, retreating from social interactions. Friends who once visited regularly noticed they no longer welcomed guests. Even those closest to them had not seen the duo in years, though no one suspected anything was wrong.

Despite their seclusion, Arakawa kept in touch with a few people and exchanged emails in the weeks before her death without raising any concerns.

However, her routine calls to her 91-year-old mother in Hawaii suddenly stopped in October 2024, leaving family members worried. When authorities delivered the tragic news, her mother struggled to comprehend it.

As those close to Arakawa grappled with the loss, the film industry mourned Hackman's passing, remembering his enduring legacy. Morgan Freeman honored his "dear friend" at the recent Oscar Awards. He reflected on his influence, saying, "He received two Oscars but more importantly he won the hearts of film lovers all over the world."

As investigators work to uncover the truth behind Hackman and Arakawa's mysterious deaths, those who knew them continue to grieve the loss of a couple known for their quiet devotion to each other, their animals, and their passions.

While questions remain, Hackman's legacy endures — both in the hearts of his loved ones and in the countless performances that cemented his place in cinematic history.