Autopsy confirms Gene Hackman died from
heart disease, notes his Alzheimer's and prolonged fasting
[April 29, 2025]
By JACQUES BILLEAUD and MORGAN LEE
SANTA FE,
N.M. (AP) — The main cause of Gene Hackman's death was heart disease,
but he was also in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease and likely
had not eaten for a long time, according to a new autopsy report.
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Law enforcement officials talk outside the home of actor Gene Hackman on
Feb. 27, 2025 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (AP Photo/Roberto Rosales, file) |
The
report documents the 95-year-old actor’s poor heart health,
noting he had experienced congestive heart failure, an aortic
valve replacement and an irregular heart beat. He was given a
pacemaker in April 2019.
Hackman’s carbon monoxide concentration was less than 5%
saturation, which is within the normal range. He tested negative
for the hantavirus, which is a rare but potentially fatal
disease spread by infected rodent droppings.
Authorities have said Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, likely died
Feb. 11 at home from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Her autopsy
report hasn’t yet been released.
A toxicology report says Hackman tested negative for alcohol and
intoxicating drugs, but that he had a low concentration of
acetone in his system that indicates prolonged fasting.
Hackman appeared to have outlived Arakawa at home by about a
week, possibly unaware of his wife's death. Hackman’s pacemaker
showed an abnormal heart rhythm on Feb. 18 — the day he likely
died, according to the state's chief medical examiner.
Records released earlier in the investigation showed Arakawa
made phone calls and internet searches as she scoured for
information on flu-like symptoms and breathing techniques.
Recently released videos outline the scope of the investigation
into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa.
Before they understood how Hackman and Arakawa died, authorities
recorded themselves conducting interviews with workers and
returning to Hackman’s home to search for more evidence.
Detectives searched the home in early March for Arakawa’s laptop
and other clues.
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Billeaud reported from Phoenix.
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