Gene Hackman ‘didn’t know wife had died’ for six days as cause of deaths revealed

Officials have released the cause of death for the couple.

The couple's bodies were found in separate rooms of their sprawling Santa Fe mansion on February 26, with one of their dogs also found deceased on the property.

Speculation grew in the days following the discovery of their bodies that a ‘companion suicide’ might be the cause of death, but police have now revealed what really happened to the pair.

Speaking in a press conference held on Friday, New Mexico Chief Medical Investigator Dr Heather Jarrell said that Hackman’s cause of death was due to heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease ‘as a significant contributory factor’.

Dr Jarrell also suggested that Hackman died around February 18, with his partner’s last known movements coming seven days earlier.

Arakawa was seen going to a CVS pharmacy and a dog food shop on February 11, and she didn’t have communication with anyone after carrying out those errands - with unopened emails stacking up from this date.

Speaking to reporters, Dr Jarrell stated that Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which likely occurred almost a week before her husband’s death. 

Explaining the rare infection, Jarrell explained it shows up as flu-like symptoms, but can progress to ‘shortness of breath, heart failure, and lung failure’.

In a heartbreaking update, she explained that it was ‘quite possible’ that Hackman was unaware that Arakawa had died, due to his increased Alzheimer’s condition.

"Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease," Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death."

"It's quite possible that he was not aware that she was deceased," she added.

When asked whether Hackman would have been able to survive on his own, Dr Jarrell said: "I’m not aware of what his normal daily functioning capability was. He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that is what resulted in his death."

It was also confirmed that Hackman was found with no food in his stomach, meaning that he likely had not eaten for some time prior to his death.

Police have said that Hackman was found dead in the house’s mud room, with his cane and sunglasses near him on the ground.

Arakawa was discovered lying on the bathroom floor with prescription pills strewn across the nearby countertop.

One of their dogs was also found dead on the property while two others were discovered roaming around.

Police are still piecing together the couple’s last movements and are speaking to several people including the actor’s children Christopher, 65, Elizabeth Jean, 63, and Leslie, 58, who he had with his ex-wife Faye Maltese.