BBC News, Los Angeles
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman died of natural causes about a week after his wife Betsy Arakawa, who died after contracting a rare virus, said a medical investigator of the New Mexico.
The Oscar -winning actor, 95, died in his santa fe house of a coronary disease, with an advanced Alzheimer’s disease a contributing factor.
Ms. Arakawa, 65, died in the same house in Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare but serious respiratory disease caused by exposure to infected rodents.
The authorities think that she died about seven days before her husband. His cause of death was listed as natural. In a great career, Hackman has won two Academy prizes for the French connection and Unforgiven.
It is likely that Ms. Arakawa died on February 1, said on Friday Dr. Heather Jarrell from the office of the New Mexico medical investigator.
She said it was “reasonable to conclude” that Hackman died on February 18.
The last known movements and correspondence of Ms. Arakawa took place on February 11, when she was seen to go to a market, a CVS pharmacy and a pet store, before returning home in the early evening.
Since Hackman was at the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, it is “quite possible that he does not know that she [his wife] was died, “said Dr. Jarrell.
She told journalists that she “was not aware of her normal daily operating capacity”.
Hackman had “a significant heart disease, and ultimately that resulted in his death,” said Dr. Jarrell, adding that he had chronic blood pressure.
He hadn’t eaten anything recently, but has shown no indication of dehydration, she added.
During the press conference, the New Mexico public health veterinarian, Erin Phipps, stressed that Hantavirus infections are extremely rare.
The HPS is transmitted by contact with rodent excrement, urine or saliva, often when contaminated dust is inhaled.
She noted that 136 cases had been reported in the state in the past 50 years and 42% have resulted in deaths.
Ms. Phipps said that rodent activity has been found in certain property buildings, although the risk inside the main house was considered “low”.
Investigators try to determine how Ms. Arakawa contracted the disease. Hackman was tested negative for Hantavirus.
Although rare, the disease can cause respiratory failure in some cases.
The couple, who had been married for more than 30 years, was found in their house after the security of the neighborhood made a wellness check and saw their body on the ground through the window.
The couple’s bodies were discovered at advanced decomposition stages.
Hackman’s body was in a sideroom next to the kitchen, with a cane on foot and a pair of sunglasses nearby, according to an affidavit of search mandate.
Mrs. Arakawa’s body was found in the bathroom, with scattered pills near it.
Sheriff deputies have found medication for the treatment of thyroid and blood pressure, as well as the analgesic deligner, according to an inventory filed by the court.
Citing the laws on privacy, the authorities did not reveal that had been prescribed the drugs.
One of the couple’s three dogs was also found dead inside a box near Ms. Arakawa, while the other two dogs were alive.
The cause of the death of the dog has not yet been determined, according to officials.
Dr. Erin Phipps told journalists that dogs do not fall ill from Hantavirus.
The initial surveys found no sign of forced entry or unfair play in their house of $ 3.8 million (3 million pounds sterling). Carbon monoxide poisoning tests were negative and no significant gas leaks were detected.
Hackman is survived by three adult children from his previous marriage.
Hackman met Arakawa when she worked part -time in a California gymnasium in the mid -80s, the New York Times previously reported.
He won the best actor Oscar for his role as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in the thriller by William Friedkin, The French Connection, and another for the best support actor for playing Little Bill Daggett in the Western film by Clint Eastwood Unforgiven in 1992.
A delay relating to Hollywood, Hackman’s breakthrough came in their thirties, when he was nominated for an Oscar to portray Buck Barrow in 1967, Bonnie and Clyde – opposite Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway – and again for I never sang for my father in 1970.
The two films saw him recognized in the category of supporting players. He was also nominated for the top leading actor in 1988 for playing the FBI agent at Mississippi Burning.
He played more than 100 roles during his career, including the Supervillain Lex Luthor in the superman films by Christopher Reeve in the 1970s and 1980s.
Hackman presented in front of many other Hollywood heavy goods vehicles, including Al Pacino in 1973, Scarecrow and Gene Wilder in the young Frankenstein of 1974.
His latest appearance on the big screen came as Monroe Cole in welcome to Mooseport in 2004, after which he is back from Hollywood for a life quieter to new-mexic.
