Gene Hackman's wife suffers fluid accumulation leading to death

In the United States, Betsy Arakawa, the wife of the Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, passed away due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which was confirmed through an autopsy. At the time of her death, she exhibited signs of fluid accumulation in her chest along with mild hardening of blood vessels supplying the heart. Additionally, she tested negative for COVID-19 and the flu, and showed no signs of trauma. An examination confirmed that her carbon monoxide levels were normal, and although she tested positive for caffeine, there were no signs of alcohol or intoxicating drugs present in her system. Gene Hackman, who was 95 years old at the time of his death, had a history of severe cardiovascular issues and neurodegenerative changes attributed to Alzheimer’s Disease. The autopsy revealed the presence of severe hypertension-related changes in his kidneys along with evidence of past heart attacks and surgeries, such as coronary artery stents and a bypass graft. Furthermore, Hackman tested negative for hantavirus. The examinations of both individuals indicated signs of decomposition, suggesting they had been deceased for some time before being discovered. Jesse Kesler, who had worked closely with the couple, expressed concern about their well-being after receiving an unusual email from Betsy around three weeks prior to the deaths. In that communication, she mentioned Gene experiencing flu-like symptoms which led him to take a COVID-19 test. Kesler noted that it was out of character for the couple to disconnect from their friends and associates. His suspicions about their health prompted him to investigate further, ultimately leading him to visit their home in Santa Fe and alert authorities. The local sheriff's department took interest in the case after Kesler's report, given the couple's unexplained absence and deteriorating conditions. Furthermore, the reports highlighted that neither individual had suffered any apparent signs of foul play, though the circumstances of their deaths remained concerning to those who knew them. Investigators stated they did not find evidence of any wrongdoing following their examination of the couple's residence, which once reflected their vibrant lives and personal stories shared with others. The passing of both Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa has left behind a sense of loss among their friends and close associates.