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It’s been over a week since the world learned about the shocking deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa.
And for most of that time, the circumstances of these deaths were completely confusing to investigators.
Hackman was 95, so normally his passing would not deserve much of an investigation. But his late wife was only 65 without known health problems.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s causes of death revealed
Earlier today, the New Mexico office announced for the medical investigator the results of the couple’s autopsy.
The investigator announced that Hackman died of heart disease and complications caused by Alzheimer’s.
Arakawa died from a rare disease known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. It is usually spread by rodents.
The medical investigator estimates that Hackman died on February 18, about a week after Arakawa.
. Of course, there are still many questions that need to be answered about this very unusual case.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Death Scene continues to confuse investigators
Adding to the mystery is the fact that the Hollywood legend and his late wife were found dead in different parts of the house.
One of the couple’s dogs was dead, but two others still strolled over the property.
Initially, many suspected that the deaths were the result of a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning, but these theories were eventually excluded.
Now, a professional medical is investigating a new opportunity that can help explain how two do not seem to -related deaths happened for a week in the same home.
Medical examiner says deaths may have been the result of ‘broken heart type’ situation
James Gill is Chief Medical Examiner from Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. He is not Participating in the investigation of Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths, but in front of the official findings he shared his informed Outsider’s theory with People magazine.
“From the initial kind of circumstances, it seems that he may have collapsed. He has a history of heart disease. He has a pacemaker. So it wouldn’t be unusual, ”Gill explains.
“But the unusual part is, why did she collapse? Assuming she would have found him. Then you start to wonder: There is this thing where the stress of watching someone die that could have triggered a natural death in her. “
Gill says the most likely option is that Hackman “found [Arakawa] And went out to get help or get his phone, and he then collapsed from the stress as well. Equally likely. He is older, he has known heart disease. But the autopsy would definitely show whether she had heart disease or cancer, or what do you have. “
Me explains that two natural deaths that occur around the same time “have been known to happen, kind of a broken heart type, almost.”
“Suddenly you find your beloved death on the floor that can increase your adrenaline and which stimulates your heart to beat faster and can put your heart in an irregular rhythm,” he says.
Gill notes that prescription pills were found scattered near Betsy’s body, a detail that could be a bit. Maybe she was engaged in a last ditch effort to treat a known, existing illness.
He explains that after finding a loved one, “people become very despairing, and they do something to take their own lives and it can be with pills or what do you have. I think toxicology processing will be useful for excluding causes such as a drunkenness or injuries. “
It now seems likely that Hackman was unable to seek help or warn the authorities of Arakawa’s death because of his advanced Alzheimer’s.
For now the mystery remains unresolved
Gill concluded to warn that we do not have the full story until medical investigators finish their investigation.
“I think the autopsy and toxicology test is what needs to be seen to make the final determination,” he says.
“Otherwise, it’s kind of speculation at this time.”
Since making these comments, ME’s office has announced their findings, but unfortunately there are still many questions.
We have additional updates about this evolving story when new information becomes available.