Cause of death confirmed in sudden deaths of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa

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A tragic end to the mystery surrounding the deaths of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa. On Friday, investigators in the case revealed that he died from heart problems and Alzheimer’s.

The Lowdown

According to the Sante Fe Medical Examiner’s Office, Hollywood legend Gene Hackman reportedly died from heart problems and late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The actor per the health agency had been in ‘poor health’ leading up to his death. Betsy Arakawa his wife is understood to have died of a virus called the Hantavirus. Officials discovered that Hackman appeared to have lived with his wife’s dead body for at least a week before his death likely unaware that she had died.

What is Hantavirus?

According to the Mayo Clinic, hantavirus exists in a number of forms and starts out like any illness before progressing into a fatal virus that affects both kidneys. It is typically spread from rodent to human via their urine; secretions, or saliva. It also causes dramatic heart and lung problems as the virus progresses into its later stages. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is considered rare though cases do exist.