newYou can listen to Fox’s news articles!
Official cause of death has been revealed for the Oscar-winning actor Jean Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
The final autopsy obtained by Fox News Digital shows that Hackman had a “history of congestive heart failure” in addition to “severe chronic hypertension changes, kidneys,” according to the New Mexico Department of Medical Researchers.
The legendary actor was in place in April 2019, documents say. “Neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer’s disease” also attracted attention at autopsies.
The final autopsy was released two months after the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Hackman. (Getty Images)
“The autopsy showed severe atherosclerosis and hypertensive cardiovascular disease with placement of coronary stents and bypass grafts, as well as previous aortic valve replacement,” the document said.
“There was a remote myocardial infarction, including the free wall and septum of the left ventricle. This was significantly greater. Brain examinations showed microscopic findings of advanced Alzheimer’s disease.”
Hackman tested negative for the hantavirus. “The carbon monoxide test was below 5% along the normal range,” the inspector said.
Toxicology reports revealed trace amounts of acetone when Hackman died. The solvent used in the chemicals is, according to the report, “as well as metabolites after isopropanol ingestion, are also the product of diabetes and fast-induced ketoacidosis.”
Hackman’s toxicological test showed acetone levels at 5.3 mg/dL. Here, normal endogenous acetone levels in the blood are up to 0.3 mg/dL.
The findings are consistent with long-term levels of fasting.
The death of Jean Hackman and his wife called “suspected” showed signs of “mummification”
Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead on February 27th in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Jeffrey Mayer/Wire Image)
Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies were found February 26th by maintenance workers Jesse Kessler and Roland Lowe Begay. After working as a couple’s private contractor for 16 years, Kessler made a desperate 911 call.
A search warrant affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital revealed that Arakawa was found to be disassembled in her face with bloating and mummification of her limbs.
Hackman was found to have the same signs of decomposition as his wife.
The couple had a very private life in Santa Fe. (Donaldson Collection/Michael Ox Archives/Getty Images)
Hollywood star who passed away in 2025: Photo
Detectives initially described the couple’s death as “suspected enough to require a thorough search and investigation,” according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital.
Authorities confirmed that no external trauma was found on either Hackman or Arakawa, and New Mexican authorities quickly launched a criminal investigation into their deaths.
Listen: Gene Hackman 911 Call
Through a search of Arakawa’s computer, investigators discovered that she studied Covid-19 and flu-like symptoms multiple times before she died. Investigators retrieved an email sent to a massage therapist on February 11, and admitted that Hackman had undergone a “community test” after experiencing “flu/cold-like symptoms.”
Gene Hackman was best known for his Oscar-winning performances for “French Connection” and “Relentless.” (Tristar Pictures/Everett Collection)
Before her email, Arakawa had investigated “Covid” at least four times between February 8th and 11th before seeing a doctor at Cloudbury Health Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, documents showed.
“The data suggests that Betsy was actively studying conditions related to Covid-19 and flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to her death,” the report states.
Hackman was 95 years old at the time of his death. (New Century Distribution/Everett Collection)
Click here to get the Fox News app
Arakawa died because of that Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndromeis transmitted from animals to humans and is common in rodents, the New Mexico Department of Health confirmed.
The hantavirus “has flu-like symptoms consisting of fever, muscle pain, cough, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea, which can progress to shortness of breath, heart failure and lung failure,” Dr. Heather Jarrell explained at a press conference last month.
Hackman was 95 at the time of his death and his wife was 63.
Stephanie Giang-Paunon and Lauryn Overhultz of Fox News Digital contributed to this post.
