<p id=”par-1_64″>The mystery of <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/celebrity-deaths/?swcfpc=1″>Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s death i</a>s a lot less mysterious because of the digital footprint the couple left behind. The duo was found dead by maintenance workers on Feb. 26, but it was clear they had died many days earlier. Based on her search history, Arakawa spent her final days likely assuming she was infected with the flu or COVID-19.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-betsy-arakawa-went-looking-for-answers-on-google-before-her-death”>Betsy Arakawa went looking for answers on Google before her death</h2>
<p id=”par-2_46″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/pacemaker-helps-investigators-pinpoint-the-time-of-gene-hackmans-death.html/?swcfpc=1″>Gene Hackman’s pacemaker </a>helped experts pinpoint when the famed actor died, but Betsy Arakawa’s digital footprint provides a detailed account of her final days. Based on the 65-year-old pianist’s search history, she might have believed she had COVID-19 in the days leading up to her death.</p>
<p id=”par-3_49″>Documents from the investigation recently revealed that Arakawa spent Feb. 10 searching for information about COVID-19 and its possible symptoms. The wife of the reclusive actor checked to see if COVID-19 could cause dizziness. She also searched for a link between nosebleeds and the flu, according to the <a href=”https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxgqgqykneo” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>BBC</a>.</p>
<p id=”par-4_45″>Arakawa had neither COVID-19 nor the flu. Instead, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/gene-hackman-cause-of-death-confirmed-authorities.html/”>she had Hantavirus</a>, a pulmonary virus contracted from feces or urine from infected rodents, like mice or rats. The infection is rare but incredibly serious and often fatal. Arakawa likely died from the illness on Feb. 12.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-betsy-arakawa-reported-that-hackman-felt-ill-days-before-she-died”>Betsy Arakawa reported that Hackman felt ill days before she died</h2>
<p id=”par-5_49″>Gene Hackman died several days after his wife. According to medical experts, the famed actor succumbed to heart disease and the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. He did not test positive for the virus that killed Arakawa, but reportedly was experiencing flu-like symptoms in the days before his wife’s death.</p>
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<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”Gene Hackman & Wife Betsy Arakawa’s Death Timeline UPDATED” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/dJYBif5jr7U?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/gene-hackmans-will-could-his-kids-contest-the-document.html/”>
Gene Hackman’s Will: Could His Kids Contest the Document? </a>
</p>
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<p id=”par-6_59″>According to <a target=”_blank” href=”https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/15/movies/gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa-deaths.html” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>the New York Times</a>, Arakawa’s email history reveals what happened in the days and hours before her demise. According to the publication, Arakawa emailed a massage therapist on the morning of Feb. 11, asking to reschedule an appointment because Hackman had woken up with flu-like symptoms. She did not mention feeling ill herself. The appointment was never rescheduled.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-how-long-were-gene-hackman-and-betsy-arakawa-married”>How long were Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa married?</h2>
<p id=”par-7_70″>Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa shared a private and seemingly stable marriage that began in 1991. Arakawa, a classically trained pianist, met Hackman while working at a California gym. He had divorced his first wife, with whom he shared three children, in 1986. Following Hackman’s retreat from Hollywood, the couple moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. They spent decades living in<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/gene-hackmans-home-everything-we-know-about-the-sprawling-santa-fe-estate.html/”> a Pueblo revival-style home</a> valued at over $4 million.</p>
<p id=”par-8_50″>In his will, Hackman reportedly left his entire estate to Arakawa. His three children from a previous marriage were not named in the will. Hackman and Arakawa did not have children together. Arakawa did not have any children from previous relationships. It is unclear if the estate has been settled.</p>