Gene Hackman, the Oscar-winning actor, has lost his wife of nearly 40 years, Betsy Arakawa, to a rare and deadly disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The New Mexico Department of Health released an investigation report on Tuesday detailing Betsy’s last days, which showed she was researching flu-like symptoms and breathing techniques just before her death.
According to the report, Betsy spent several days in February scouring online medical information about COVID-19 and its potential effects, including dizziness and nosebleeds. She also reached out to a concierge medical service for an appointment but had to reschedule due to concerns over her husband’s health.
The couple was found dead at their Santa Fe home on February 26. An investigation revealed no signs of foul play or a gas leak in the house, and the cause of death was attributed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a disease that is often spread through contact with rodents.
Gene Hackman, 95, died about a week after his wife’s passing due to heart disease complicated by Alzheimer’s. The couple’s dogs were also found dead, with one dog dying from dehydration and starvation.
The estate of the late actor Gene Hackman had sought to keep details of the investigation under wraps, citing concerns over their right to privacy. However, following a court order, the Associated Press, CBS News, and CBS Studios agreed to limit depictions of the deceased couple’s bodies and blur images in other records.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-arakawa-investigation-records-0b5c41d51d882352499f21d0c2eb6cad