Gene Hackman’s official cause of death revealed in final autopsy
Gene Hackman’s official cause of death has been revealed.
Hackman was found dead with Betsy Arakawa and their dog in their New Mexico home on February 26, after neighbourhood security conducted a welfare check. Arakawa was 65, while Hackman was 95.
Though no foul play was initially suspected, their deaths were “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation”, according to a search warrant affidavit early into investigations.
There had been some speculation that the couple had died due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas leak, but authorities were quick to rule that out as a potential cause, with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office issuing an update based on the New Mexico Gas Company’s “extensive investigation for gas leaks and carbon monoxide at Gene Hackman’s home,” conducted on the evening of February 26.
On March 8, investigators suggested the cause of death for both Hackman and Arakawa, finding that they both died of natural causes, but a week apart. Arakawa was said to have died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a serious respiratory illness caused by exposure to infected rodents. Data from Hackman’s pacemaker suggests he died on February 18, a week after the proposed date of Arakawa’s passing.
Now, two months after Hackman’s body was discovered, his official cause of death has been confirmed through his final autopsy. According to a MIRROR report, the autopsy revealed “severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with placement of coronary artery stents and a bypass graft, as well as a previous aortic valve replacement.”
The statement continued: “Remote myocardial infarctions were present involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum, which were significantly large. Examination of the brain showed microscopic findings of advanced stage Alzheimer’s disease.”
Last month (March 28), it was reported that Hackman’s and Arakawa’s bodies had not yet been claimed over a month after their deaths. This has since been updated via the New Mexico coroner’s official website, suggesting that his children have claimed their bodies.
A generational acting talent, with a career that spanned over six decades, Hackman has spent the last two decades or so in retirement. In 2008, he officially announced his retirement from acting.
Among the films that starred Hackman over the decades are 1971’s The French Connection, 1974’s The Conversation, 1978’s Superman, 1988’s Mississippi Burning, 1992’s Unforgiven, and 2001’s The Royal Tenenbaums. His last feature film role was 2003’s Welcome to Mooseport, in which he starred alongside Ray Romano.
The post Gene Hackman’s official cause of death revealed in final autopsy appeared first on NME.
Surej Singh
NME
