Gene Hackman and wife found dead

UpstateGal said:
Betsy was 32 years younger than Gene Hackman. Yes, she loved him but I don't believe she killed herself because he died at 95.

She had to know the probability of Gene dying before her was very high and she probably prepared herself mentally for that many years ago.

I still think her death was accidental in her frantic efforts to help Gene after his fall.
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I'd agree with you except they said her body was surrounded by spilled pills.. and also how would it explain the death of one of the 3 dogs...:unsure:
 

I saw where they had passed away quite some time ago. Maybe alone just got to them.
No visitors or contacts for weeks, wow! Lonesome can really work hard on some especially
if they are used to adoration type of life. The drive up to their home looked quite arduous.
I would think that they would have good Cell reception if one felt bad?

At 95 in a picture with his wife and cane, he seemed frail of stature. Didn't look like the guy.

MSN
I would take the furnace / heater apart and inspect the burner. Although one would think Electric best there.
Propane can be a nasty sucker. I only use electric heat in my Camper and electric refrig. But it is on a lot,
220V, water, sewer, installed, possibly an EV in the Future to charge also.
 
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A question in general: They were multimillionaires. Why didn't they have a cook and housemaids for cleaning their vast property in their house? And perhaps even a nurse, as Gene seemed to be very frail.

It wouldn't have happened then that they were lying dead for several days.
 
smiley said:
I'm still trying to get my head around the pic above - wouldn't recognize 'him' in a million years - could be more like an intruder I would think? - didn't have time to kill all the dogs - got the humans and one dog and then bolted with whatever they wanted to steal??
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He and Dustin Hoffman were actually called terrible actors while they tried out for it and suggested they give it up .

" Along with fellow Playhouse alum Dustin Hoffman, Hackman was voted "The Least Likely to Succeed." The two moved to New York, working odd jobs amid acting gigs with their pal Robert Duvall ''

https://www.military.com/off-duty/m...arine-corps-veteran-gene-hackman-dead-95.html
 
I read that a yard worker realized no ones around, looked in windows because he wasn't allowed inside & saw her
lying on the floor dead, it would seem to him. He called it in. The sheriff report said they didn't appear to be trauma.

Loneliness can be a ton! Hadn't talked to kids or visitors for months.
 
It has been speculated...that she may have been
trying to hold him up from a fall..but felt her heart and 'ran' for her pills..collapsing to spill all the
pills.
This seems to be so plausible.
 
Here is what was said on the news:

Gene Hackman died due to hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimers as a significant contributing factor, New Mexico officials confirmed Friday. He was likely alone in the home for about a week, until he died around February 18th, which was the last time activity was recorded on his pacemaker.

His wife, Betsy Arakawa, died due to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which is transmitted from animals to humans and is commonly found in rodents, the New Mexico Department of Health confirmed. Arakawa's autopsy determined the manner of death as natural. Authorities believe Arakawa died on about Feb. 11.
 
Authorities in New Mexico have ruled that actor Gene Hackman died from a cardiovascular disease, while his wife died from a rare disease carried by rodents.

The couple's mummified remains were discovered by two maintenance workers in separate rooms of their $3.8 million Santa Fe abode last Wednesday, February 26.

Dr. Heather Jarrell chief medical investigator for the state of New Mexico said on Friday that autopsies had been performed on the couple last Thursday.

She ruled that Arakawa, 65, died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a rare disease carried by rodents.

In a new update on the timeline of their deaths, Arakawa is now believed to have died one week before her husband.

Hackman, 95, died from hypertensive cardiovascular disease which was exacerbated by his Alzheimer's.

His autopsy found no signs of internal or external trauma, but found severe heart disease and evidence of prior heart attacks.

When questioned by reporters, Jarrell also said that it was likely that Hackman didn't even realize his wife had died due to his advanced Alzheimer's.

Arakawa is said to have died first on February 11 due to her infection, which initially presents with flu like symptoms.

Jarrell said there was no reliable method to get an exact time for death, but concluded that Hackman probably died around February 18.

On Friday, officials also said that prescription pills found strewn across a countertop have since been identified as those prescribed for treating a thyroid problem.

Last week, Santa Fe officials said that Hackman's last event noted on his pacemaker was recorded on February 17, that timeline has now changed to the 18th.

Officials had also said that there was no trace of carbon monoxide in the bodies of the couple.
 
It’s odd to me that such wealthy high profile people were able to maintain that level of privacy.

I guess I’ve always thought that there would be servants, secretaries, publicists, delivery people, etc… buzzing about on a daily basis.

It’s sad but I still think that I would prefer it to a hospital or nursing home.

It may seem wrong but I feel especially bad for the poor dog.
 
Poor Betsy died from hantavirus, which is a terrible death at the end due to lungs filling up with fluids. Gene's mind was so far gone with Alzheimer's that he never noticed his wife dead on the floor for an entire week before his heart finally gave out.

I accept how their deaths happened based on the medical reports. But I will never understand why it happened. :(
 
hollydolly said:
Authorities in New Mexico have ruled that actor Gene Hackman died from a cardiovascular disease, while his wife died from a rare disease carried by rodents.

The couple's mummified remains were discovered by two maintenance workers in separate rooms of their $3.8 million Santa Fe abode last Wednesday, February 26.

Dr. Heather Jarrell chief medical investigator for the state of New Mexico said on Friday that autopsies had been performed on the couple last Thursday.

She ruled that Arakawa, 65, died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a rare disease carried by rodents.

In a new update on the timeline of their deaths, Arakawa is now believed to have died one week before her husband.

Hackman, 95, died from hypertensive cardiovascular disease which was exacerbated by his Alzheimer's.

His autopsy found no signs of internal or external trauma, but found severe heart disease and evidence of prior heart attacks.

When questioned by reporters, Jarrell also said that it was likely that Hackman didn't even realize his wife had died due to his advanced Alzheimer's.

Arakawa is said to have died first on February 11 due to her infection, which initially presents with flu like symptoms.

Jarrell said there was no reliable method to get an exact time for death, but concluded that Hackman probably died around February 18.

On Friday, officials also said that prescription pills found strewn across a countertop have since been identified as those prescribed for treating a thyroid problem.

Last week, Santa Fe officials said that Hackman's last event noted on his pacemaker was recorded on February 17, that timeline has now changed to the 18th.

Officials had also said that there was no trace of carbon monoxide in the bodies of the couple.
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Oh, this all makes sense now. So sad an ending for all.
 
911 said:
I thought Hantavirus's were only found in rats, but could be passed onto humans by contact??
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It is found in deer mice and other breeds of mice. It is more prevalent in the south west due to the dry climate that turns the rodent droppings into dust quickly. People usually get it by inhaling the dust created like sweeping up and cleaning a nesting area. Always wear mask and other protection when cleaning up rodent messes, or better yet call a professional to do it for you.
 
Aunt Bea said:
It’s odd to me that such wealthy high profile people were able to maintain that level of privacy.

I guess I’ve always thought that there would be servants, secretaries, publicists, delivery people, etc… buzzing about on a daily basis.

It’s sad but I still think that I would prefer it to a hospital or nursing home.

It may seem wrong but I feel especially bad for the poor dog.
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I agree here !
 
911 said:
I thought Hantavirus's were only found in rats, but could be passed onto humans by contact??
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Yes. We had voles in our yard, garage, and shed back in Nevada, and hantavirus was a big concern. I'm not exactly sure how it's transmitted, but it can in fact be.
 
KSav said:
Yes. We had voles in our yard, garage, and shed back in Nevada, and hantavirus was a big concern. I'm not exactly sure how it's transmitted, but it can in fact be.
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Hantavirus is transmitted when a human sweeps the floor where there is rodent droppings and inhales the contaminated dust particles into their lungs. Suggested means to clean up such droppings is to wear an N95 mask, spray the contaminated area with a solution of water and bleach and let it dry(1/2 hr. or better).
 

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