BREAKING NEWS Gene Hackman's final autopsy reveals shocking medical history after actor was found dead at 95 By BRITTANY CHAIN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:24, 27 April 2025 | Updated: 22:26, 27 April 2025 e-mail View comments The final autopsy results for Gene Hackman detailed the beloved Oscar winning actor's extensive medical history two months after he and his wife were found dead inside their home. Hackman, 95, had 'a 'history of congestive heart failure' and 'severe chronic hypertensive changes, kidneys,' Fox reported, citing the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico .
He had a 'bi-ventricular pacemaker' since April 2019 and 'neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer's Disease,' according to the autopsy. 'Autopsy showed severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with placement of coronary artery stents and a bypass graft, as well as a previous aortic valve replacement,' the documents stated. 'Remote myocardial infarctions were present involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum, which were significantly large.
Examination of the brain showed microscopic findings of advanced stage Alzheimer's disease.' But Hackman tested negative for Hantavirus - the rat-borne disease which killed his wife, Betsy Arakawa. Police have since determined that Arakawa died first around February 12 as a result of respiratory symptoms caused by the rare, but deadly, hantavirus, which is passed on through rodent urine, saliva and feces.
She was 65. A report obtained by DailyMail.com indicated that Arakawa had bookmarks on her computer suggesting that she had been researching medical conditions with symptoms similar to Covid-19 or the flu prior to her death.
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have finally been laid to rest after weeks after their shocking deaths. The Oscar-winning actor and his classical pianist wife had their funeral in Santa Fe, New Mexico, People reported on Tuesday; pictured together in 2003 in Beverly Hills 'Testing for carbon monoxide was less than 5% saturation, in keeping with a normal range,' the medical examiner noted. Hackman also had trace amounts of acetone in his system at the time of his death, which could be a product of ' diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis.
' Hackman, who was suffering from advanced Alzheimer's disease at the time, is believed to have wandered around the couple's home alone after his wife's death. The actor, who was 95, is believed to have died nearly a week later, around February 18, from severe heart disease, while Alzheimer's and kidney disease were contributing factors. A week after the bodies were discovered, the New Mexico Department of Public Health conducted a health assessment on the property.
The department concluded that dead rodents and their nests were found in 'eight detached outbuildings' on the Hackman property, making it a 'breeding ground' for the hantavirus, TMZ reported. Read More Warning to millions over rodent disease that killed Gene Hackman's wife The deadly hantavirus typically spreads through rodent urine and droppings that one may come into contact with when cleaning a basement or an attic. There were droppings found in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds on the property.
Additionally, there was a live rodent, a dead rodent and a rodent nest found in three more garages on the property, according to the inspectors. There were also two vehicles seen on the estate that had evidence of rodents, and they even found traps in the buildings as well, suggesting this had been an ongoing issue for the Hackmans. The health assessment was conducted to assess whether first responders or others who were on the property were safe from the virus.
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Gene Hackman's final autopsy reveals shocking medical history after actor was found dead at 95

The final autopsy results for Gene Hackman detailed the beloved Oscar winning actor's extensive medical history two months after he and his wife were found dead inside their home.