BREAKING: Actor Gene Hackman died one week after his wife, causes of death revealed

On Friday, the causes of death for actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were released by New Mexico authorities after their bodies were found in their home in late February.

Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator for the state's Office of the Medical Investigator, said that Hackman, 95, died from "hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor." She said the autopsy examination and post mortem CT exam "demonstrated no acute findings of internal or external trauma, and showed severe heart disease, including multiple surgical procedures involving the heart, evidence of prior heart attacks and severe changes of the kidneys due to chronic High Blood Pressure," per ABC News.

Jarrell said that Hackman likely died around February 18, while Arakawa likely died around February 11. Officials said that Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease that is transmitted through rodent saliva, droppings, or urine. The disease "initially causes flu-like symptoms that can progress to more severe illness where people have trouble breathing," according to the CDC.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that Hackman was likely home with the body of his wife for one week before he died.
 

Mendoza said in a Friday press conference that Arakawa picked up her dog, Zinna, on February 9 from a veterinary hospital after having a procedure done, may have been why the dog was found in a crate at the residence. 

On February 11 at around 11:21 am, Arakawa had an email conversation with her massage therapist. Arakawa was at the Sprouts Farmer’s Market between 3:30 and 4:15 pm on the same day. She was also seen on surveillance footage at a CVS location in Santa Fe between 4:12 and 4:20 pm, and stopped at a local pet food store at around 4:54 pm. At 5:15 pm, her car was seen on surveillance footage and her remote clicker used to access the gated community was used. He noted that there was no known outgoing communication from her beyond February 11. 

Jerrell said during the press conference that the prescription pills found at the scene near Arakawa were a thyroid medication, which were being taken as prescribed. She said that Hackman's pacemaker last recorded heart activity on February 18.

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