Gene Hackman Update Reveals Details on Final Days

Gene Hackman’s final autopsy has been released, showing new details about the legendary actor’s death.

Fox News Digital obtained a copy of the final autopsy from the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico, which shows that Hackman had a “history of congestive heart failure” along with “severe chronic hypertensive changes, kidneys.”

The autopsy also mentioned that Hackman had “Neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer’s Disease.”

“Autopsy showed 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 documents stated (via Fox News Digital).

They further added that Hackman tested negative for the Hanta Pulmonary Syndrome, which is a respiratory illness caused by hantaviruses. That was his wife, Betsy Awakawa’s, cause of death.

Hackman and Awakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe Home on February 26, 2025. Following the investigation, it was determined that Arakawa passed away around February 12, a week before Hackman died.

Gene Hackman Might Not Have Been Aware of His Wife’s Death

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On March 7, Investigators answered questions surrounding the couple’s death, and among them was one for the New Mexico Chief Medical Examiner Heather Jarrell.

With Arakawa having passed before Hackman, Jarrell was asked if the actor was aware his wife had died.

“He was in an advanced state of Alzheimer’s,” Jarrell responded (per CNN), “and it’s quite possible that he was not aware that she was deceased.”

Body Cam Footage Was Released By Police

On April 15, TMZ posted police body camera footage from when Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies were discovered in their Santa Fe home.

Police found Arakawa’s body first with one of their dogs next to her. They then found Hackman’s body. One of Hackman and Arakawa’s dogs, Zinnia, was also discovered deceased in a crate. Santa Fe County animal control said that Zinnia likely died of dehydration and starvation.

Betsy Awakawa Looked Up COVID-19 Symptoms Before Her Death

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Page Six reported on April 15 that Arakawa looked up COVID-19 symptoms and ordered oxygen canisters before her death.

In the incident report obtained by Page Six, a a laptop was located “in the hallway adjacent to the bathroom” where Arakawa’s body was discovered.

“He advised he found the computer unlocked and observed Betsy had conducted a search on Google. The search was in reference to ‘breathing techniques,’ or something similar to the matter,” the incident report read.

Arakawa sent an email on February 11, which read, ““Hi Katia, So, G woke up today with flu/cold-like symptoms, did a covid test, negative. But out of abundance of caution, I should cancel my appt tomorrow and rebook, say, in a couple of weeks, last week of Feb if something is available. Thank you! Best, B.”

The report added that, “She never opened or sent additional e-mails” after Feb. 11.

That same day, her Amazon search and order history confirmed she “purchased several Boost Oxygen canisters.”

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