Autopsy confirms Gene Hackman died from heart disease, notes his Alzheimer’s and prolonged fasting

Gene Hackman, the legendary actor, tragically passed away at the age of 95 due to heart disease. However, a new autopsy report reveals that he was also in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease and had likely not eaten for a long time before his death. The report details Hackman’s poor heart health, including congestive heart failure, an aortic valve replacement, and an irregular heartbeat. He had received a pacemaker in April 2019. Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their New Mexico home in February.

The autopsy report also revealed that Hackman’s carbon monoxide concentration was within the normal range and he tested negative for the hantavirus. Authorities suspect that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome on February 11, but her autopsy report has not been released yet.

A toxicology report showed that Hackman tested negative for alcohol and drugs, but had a low concentration of acetone in his system, indicating prolonged fasting. It appears that Hackman outlived Arakawa by about a week and may have been unaware of her passing. His pacemaker showed an abnormal heart rhythm on February 18, the likely day of his death.

The couple’s bodies were not discovered until February 26, with Hackman found near his cane in the entryway and Arakawa on the bathroom floor. Records from the investigation revealed that Arakawa had been searching for information on flu-like symptoms and breathing techniques before her death.

Recently released videos show authorities conducting interviews with workers and returning to the couple’s home to search for more evidence. Detectives searched for Arakawa’s laptop and other clues in early March. The investigation into the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa continues to uncover more details surrounding their tragic passing.