Mystery of American Actor Couple's Death Solved: "Husband Likely Didn't Realize Wife Died Due to Dementia"

Investigation Results Announced for Hackman and Arakawa's Deaths
"Death Caused by Cardiovascular Disease and Hantavirus"

Hollywood actor Gene Hackman, whose assets amount to $80 million (approximately 117 billion KRW), was found dead along with his wife after several days, shocking many. The U.S. investigative authorities have announced the cause of death.

American actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa in 2003. AP=Yonhap News

On the 7th (local time), the New Mexico investigative authorities held a press conference and revealed that the cause of death for the 95-year-old Hackman was hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It is estimated that Hackman died about a week after his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, passed away.

The coroner also suggested the possibility that Hackman was unaware of his wife's death. This was because Hackman was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which is considered the most common degenerative brain disorder causing dementia. Local sheriff Aiden Mendoza responded to a question about whether Hackman had left his wife's body in the house by saying, "It is presumed so."

The cause of death for his 65-year-old wife, Betsy Arakawa, was identified as hantavirus and pulmonary syndrome. Hantavirus is transmitted through rodent excrement and causes symptoms similar to the flu, such as fever, muscle pain, cough, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. If symptoms worsen, it can lead to heart failure or pulmonary failure.

The investigative authorities concluded that Arakawa died after suffering symptoms related to hantavirus infection, and Hackman, who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, did not properly recognize this fact and died about a week later from heart disease.

Based on Arakawa's emails and other activity records, the authorities concluded that she died after the 11th of last month, and Hackman died around the 18th of last month.

Hackman and his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on the 26th of last month. The first to discover the bodies were two maintenance workers. Hackman was found in the cleaning room next to the kitchen, and Arakawa's body was lying on the bathroom floor. Prescription pill bottles and scattered medications were found on the kitchen counter next to the bathroom. Their pet dog, which they raised together, was also found dead. There was no sign of forced entry or items being rummaged through. No suicide note was found.

Hackman worked as an actor in Hollywood from the 1960s to the early 2000s, appearing in over 80 films across various genres including action, crime, thriller, historical, and comedy. He had three children with his ex-wife.