Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a week after his wife Betsy Arakawa died of a rare infectious disease in their home, a forensic pathologist has said.
Two-time Oscar winner Hackman, 95, likely spent a week alone with his wife's body before he died, the sheriff of Santa Fe, New Mexico, told a news conference on Friday.
Autopsy results showed that 65-year-old Ms. Arakawa, also known as Betsy Hackman, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening disease transmitted to humans through contaminated rodent feces or saliva.
Dr. Heather Jarrell, New Mexico's chief medical examiner, told a news conference in Santa Fe that “there is reason to believe” Ms. Hackman died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome on Feb. 11 at the couple's Santa Fe home.
The expert said Hackman died a week later, on February 18, from “hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the underlying cause of which was Alzheimer's disease.”
The couple were found dead along with one of their dogs in their Santa Fe home on February 26.
Asked whether the actor was home with his late wife for seven days before he died, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza replied, “Yes, I believe that is the case.”
Dr Jarrell said: “Hackman showed signs of advanced Alzheimer's disease. His health was in very poor condition.
“He suffered from a serious heart condition and I believe that is what ultimately led to his death.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
