Gene Hackman cause of death revealed as sheriff says his wife died from rare virus linked to rodents a week before he did
The couple was found ‘mummified’ in their New Mexico home in February.
Gene Hackman lived with his dead wife’s body for a full week before succumbing to complications from heart problems and advanced Alzheimer’s disease, officials said Friday as they revealed heartbreaking details of the legendary actor’s death.
His longtime love, Betsy Arakawa, died of Hantavirus, a rare flu-like disease linked to rats, likely on Feb. 11, the New Mexico officials said. The “French Connection” star, meanwhile, is believed to have died seven days later.
The tragic timeline ends the mystery that has surrounded the death of one of America’s most beloved actors, who was found with his wife on Feb. 26 inside their Santa Fe mansion.