Gene Hackman and Wife’s Tragic Deaths Leave Sheriff Searching for Missing Pieces

The heartbreaking deaths of Gene Hackman, the legendary actor, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman, have left authorities in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with more questions than answers. While the causes of death were revealed on Friday, Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated that the investigation is far from over.

Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell announced at a press conference that Gene Hackman, 95, died from hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease playing a significant role. Meanwhile, Betsy, 65, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted from rodents. The timeline suggests that Betsy may have passed away around February 11, with Gene living alone for nearly a week until his death on February 18.

Adding to the mystery, the couple’s dog, Zinna, was also found dead in their home. A necropsy on Zinna is underway, as authorities try to determine whether her death holds any clues.

“We consider this an open investigation until we close the loopholes, such as the cell phone records and necropsy results,” Sheriff Mendoza stated. He added that while the timeline seems clear, there are still “loose ends” to tie up.

Detectives seized two cellphones from the home, but Mendoza indicated it’s unlikely they will reveal anything groundbreaking. So far, there’s no evidence that Gene used any form of communication during the week he was alone in the house. “There is no activity from Mr. Hackman,” Mendoza said pointedly.

Betsy’s last known activities offer some insight. She was seen running errands, including a trip to the Sprouts farmers market and a CVS Pharmacy on February 11. However, emails received on her computer that day remain unopened, suggesting her final moments were abrupt and solitary.

Zinna’s death adds another layer of intrigue. The dog was found crated in a closet near Betsy’s body. While some speculate starvation or dehydration, Dr. Erin Phipps, a New Mexico state veterinarian, said, “I don’t think we know the answer to that,” though the timeline makes it a possibility. Importantly, Phipps confirmed that dogs cannot contract hantavirus, ruling it out as a cause of Zinna’s demise.

Hantavirus is an extremely rare but deadly disease, with only 136 cases reported in New Mexico over the last 50 years. Of these, 42% were fatal. Dr. Jarrell explained that the disease progresses rapidly, often starting with flu-like symptoms and advancing to fatal complications within days. However, it remains unclear when Betsy began feeling ill or if she communicated her symptoms to anyone.

While the deaths were initially described as “suspicious,” authorities are working to piece together the final days of the Hackmans’ lives. With cell phone data and necropsy results pending, the case still holds an air of mystery, even as Hollywood mourns the loss of one of its most iconic actors.