Gene Hackman's death was due to natural causes, coroner confirms
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa Hackman were found dead on February 26 at their New Mexico home but their causes of death were unclear.
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The Santa Fe County chief medical examiner said on Friday that Gene Hackman died of natural causes.
The 95-year-old Oscar-winning actor, his wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman, and one of their dogs were found dead on February 26 at their New Mexico home. For over a week, it was unclear how they'd each died, though authorities said they'd been dead for quite some time and their deaths were "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation."
The investigation has now concluded. At a Santa Fe County Sheriff press conference on Friday, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said Hackman died of complications from heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Arakawa Hackman, who was 65, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Hantavirus is a flu-like disease carried by infected rats, which is rarely passed between humans.
Both deaths were classified as natural.
Pills were previously reported to have been found on-site; Jarrell said they were prescribed thyroid medication and not a matter of concern.
Jarrell said it was unprecedented for her office to comment on deaths but felt it was important in this case to disseminate accurate information and said she had spoken to Hackman's family about the autopsy findings before the conference.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
