Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa Hackman, 65, died under tragic circumstances. The cause of death for both was initially kept private but recent details have been revealed.
Betsy passed away from hantavirus in late January, a week before Gene’s death from severe heart disease, high blood pressure, and advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Gene was likely alone with Betsy for several days before their bodies were discovered on February 26.
When paramedics entered the couple’s home, they found Betsy collapsed near a space heater and scattered pills in the bathroom. Her two living dogs, Bear and Nikita, initially ran up to them barking and led them to Gene’s body in the mudroom. However, their third dog, Zinna, was not with them.
Zinna, a recovering kelpie mix, had been on crate rest after surgery in January but failed to appear for specialized food and medication pickup on February 11 – the last time she was seen alive. Her owner described Betsy as an “excellent dog owner” who consistently cared for her pets.
An investigation found signs of rodent entry on the property, with low risk assessed in the main house. Gene’s pacemaker activity had been registered up to two weeks before his death, but he showed no signs of dehydration.
Source: https://people.com/how-gene-hackman-wife-betsys-surviving-dogs-assisted-first-responders-in-body-search-11696066