Autopsy shows Gene Hackman died of heart disease; toxicology report indicates prolonged fasting
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – A final autopsy report concerning the death of actor Gene Hackman has been released by the Office of the Medical Investigator at the University of New Mexico.
The report did not show any significantly surprising findings, confirming Hackman died of heart failure as previously reported. But the documents also confirmed Hackman did not test positive for hantavirus, despite such an infection contributing to the death of his wife Betsy Arakawa.
"Mr. Hackman succumbed to natural disease subsequent to the demise of his spouse (and primary caregiver),” reads a portion of the postmortem examination report shared with Nexstar’s KRQE. “His cause of death is atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor. The manner of death is natural.”
A toxicology report also shared with KRQE indicated that tests showed Hackman’s blood contained a low concentration of acetone. The medical investigator’s office said the presence of acetone may indicate a period of “prolonged fasting," suggesting that Hackman may have gone without eating for days prior to his death.
Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26. Hackman was found face-up on the floor of the home’s mudroom alongside a walking cane and sunglasses, and Arakawa was found on a bathroom floor near a space heater. One of their dogs was discovered dead nearby.
An open prescription bottle was also found near Arakawa’s body, with pills scattered on the bathroom countertop. The medical examiner ultimately determined the pills were thyroid medications, which were being taken as prescribed.
After the initial investigation, New Mexico officials said in early May that Arakawa may have died several days before her husband. Email activity and surveillance footage show she was alive on Feb. 11, communicating with others and running errands. However, there was no additional communication or comings and goings after that day.
Hackman’s pacemaker had registered cardiac activity on Feb. 17 with some abnormal activity on Feb. 18 — the last on record for the device. Based on the evidence, a medical examiner had said it was “reasonable to conclude” Arakawa died first and Hackman died about a week later.
Arakawa’s cause of death was earlier identified as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), humans can contract the virus from mouse or rat urine, droppings and saliva. In rare cases, it can spread through a bite or scratch.
The viruses are spread mainly by rodents to people, but not from one person to another.
Hantaviruses are found throughout New Mexico and primarily in deer mice. Human infections are rare but serious. There have been 136 such cases in the past 50 years in the state, and 42% of those cases were fatal, said Erin Phipps, New Mexico State Veterinarian.
In the Western Hemisphere hantavirus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, meaning it affects the lungs. Symptoms usually surface between one and eight weeks after contact with an infected rodent and can include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems.
After four to 10 days, late symptoms such as coughing, lungs filling with fluid and shortness of breath begin.
The CDC estimates that 38% of people who experience respiratory symptoms may die from the disease.