Gene Hackman and wife’s causes of death revealed
Investigators have revealed what caused the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa.
According to a report by entertainment outlet E! Online, police said in a press conference on March 8 (Philippine time) that Hackman died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which is caused by "plaque buildup in arterial walls."
Medical investigators also revealed that the Hollywood actor had Alzheimer's in an “advanced state” and said it was “possible that he was not aware that Arakawa was deceased.”
Arakawa, meanwhile, suffered hantavirus pulmonary syndrome before she died. The virus is "spread by infected rodents through their urine, feces, and saliva, causing serious illness and sometimes death," per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Arakawa is believed to have died on Feb. 11, and Hackman on Feb. 18.
Their pet dog’s cause of death is yet to be determined.
Hackman and Arakawa were found lifeless in their home on Feb. 26.
First responders found the house's door unlocked and open. Pills were scattered next to Arakawa's body, which was in the bathroom.
Hackman's body, fully clothed, was found in another room. A pair of sunglasses was next to his body, indicating a sudden fall.
The Associated Press reported that according to pet care specialist Joey Padilla, the couple's dog Bear, a German shepherd, survived with another dog, Nikita. It's their kelpie mix, Zinna, who died.
Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, was credited for intense performances of everyman characters inspired by his troubled upbringing, notching up dozens of movie credits extending into his 70s.
He is perhaps best known as vulgar New York cop Jimmy Popeye Doyle in the 1971 crime thriller The French Connection, for which he won an Oscar for best actor.
He won another golden statuette two decades later for best supporting actor for his portrayal of the brutal small-town sheriff "Little Bill" Daggett in the 1992 western Unforgiven.
He earned three more Oscar nominations during a five-decade career in which he appeared in 80-odd films.
