Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa died from rare infectious Hantavirus disease

A medical expert has confirmed Gene Hackman’s wife died days before her actor husband, revealing her cause of death.

The cause of death for Betsy Arakawa was confirmed to have been from hantavirus, pulmonary syndrome. A medical examiner revealed in the latest press conference that the manner of death was “natural”.

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that are carried by rodents and can cause serious illness and death in humans, according to US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

Hollywood legend Gene, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26. Their dog was also discovered deceased at the scene.

Now, Dr Heather Jarrell has revealed it is probable Betsy died first, with a date of around February 11 confirmed. Gene is thought to have died a number of days later on around February 18, findings have discovered. The chief medical examiner from New Mexico at the office of the medical investigator performed autopsies on the pair and revealed her findings in a press conference on Friday.

Confirming Betsy’s death as “natural”, she stated the cause was hantavirus and pulmonary syndrome. Symptoms of hantavirus include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, especially in the thighs, hips, back, and shoulders, headache and dizziness.

Dr Jarrell explained that no trace of COVID 19 or influenza was found within Betsy. She added: “Testing for carbon monoxide was negative. There were no other significant natural disease findings. Pills present on scene, or thyroid medication, which were being taken as prescribed and is not currently a concern for a contributory cause of death”.

She also said of Gene’s death: “The cause of death for Mr. Gene Hackman, aged 95 years, is hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor”. When explaining the times of their deaths, she said: “Mr. Hackman’s initial pacemaker data revealed cardiac activity on February 17, subsequent pacemaker interrogation demonstrating an abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation on February 18, which was the last record of heart activity.

” Based on this information, it is reasonable to conclude that Mr. Hackman probably died around February 18, based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that Ms Hackman passed away first February, 11, being the last time that she was not to be alive last week. “However, she did state:” There is no reliable scientific method to accurately determine the exact time or date of death. “

Gene and Betsy’s cause of deaths being confirmed comes just days on from Morgan Freeman’s heartbreaking tribute to Gene at the Academy Awards on Sunday night. Oscar winner Morgan Freeman paid tribute to his late friend saying he was a” generous performer “who had” won the hearts of film lovers around the world”.

Taking to the stage at the 97th Oscars, ahead of the In Memoriam segment, Morgan, 87, said” this week our community lost a giant and I lost a dear friend”. He added:” I had the pleasure of working with Gene on two films, Unforgiven and Under Suspicion, and like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work.

“He received two Oscars, but more importantly, he won the hearts of film lovers all over the world. Gene always said, ‘ I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work’. So I think I speak for us all when I say, Gene, you’ll be remembered for that and for so much more. Rest in peace, my friend”.

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Source: Mirror