Tragic End: Hollywood Legend Gene Hackman’s Heartbreaking Final Days Revealed

He was a renowned figure in Hollywood, earning two Academy Awards, and boasting Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman among his intimate circle of friends. His performances graced many groundbreaking roles in film.

However, following the passing of his wife in their Santa Fe mansion bathroom due to a disease carried by rats, Gene Hackman’s final moments were spent as isolated and removed from the limelight as conceivable, within the mud room of their residence.

On Friday, the police confirmed that Hackman, aged 95, passed away on or around February 18 due to cardiovascular complications. This happened a few days after Betsy Arakawa, who was 65 years old, lost her life to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in her bathroom on February 11.

It was sadly possible that Hackman, who went public with his struggle against advanced Alzheimer’s on Friday, might not have been aware of his wife’s passing.

A condition known as HPS may start off with flu-like symptoms, but it can quickly worsen, causing breathing difficulties, decreased blood pressure, and potential organ malfunction.

The scene of chaos in the bathroom tells a grim tale of a swift decline by Arakawa. 

She was discovered sprawled on the floor, her head near a space heater, surrounded by thyroid medication pill scatterings.

In simple terms, it’s possible that Clint Eastwood, the star of “Unforgiven,” might have been aimlessly wandering around his vast 9000-square-foot residence for a week straight. This was likely due to the absence of his long-term companion who typically took care of him, fed him, and looked after their three cherished dogs, all of which were not present by his side during this period.

In a dire situation where his wife’s body lay decaying in the bathroom, and with his own health already weak, Hackman chose to abstain from eating.

An autopsy showed his stomach was empty at the time of his death.

In a room near the kitchen, Hackman was discovered lifeless alongside his walking stick and sunglasses, suggesting he might have been heading towards the exit due to a potential slip, which could indicate that his frail heart may have failed him beforehand.

The latest activity registered by his pacemaker occurred on February 18, yet assistance didn’t come until more than a week afterward.

The reclusive couple’s dogs, who were lovingly cared for by the couple, were also left alone.

In my role as a lifestyle expert, I would rephrase the given statement as follows: On February 9, I took home Zinna, who was being treated at a veterinary hospital. Sadly, only two days later, Zinna was discovered deceased in a kennel within a bathroom closet, approximately 10 to 15 feet from my partially mummified remains. This heartbreaking event unfolded just before I met my untimely end.

Officials believe the animal had been crated due to the recent medical care it had received. 

On a spacious 12-acre land, two canine companions – a German Shepherd named Bear and another pooch named Nikita – were discovered roaming freely. They had the convenience of a dog door, providing them easy access to their meals and refreshments whenever needed.

Two maintenance workers stumbled upon the mummified remains of Hackman and Arakawa on February 26, and it was found that the dogs were running free at the time.

In a statement, Dr. Heather Jarrell, the Chief Medical Examiner for New Mexico, explained that neither of these incidents resulted from injury, as no indications of either internal or external harm were detected during their investigations.

This followed days of intense speculation around the mysterious deaths. 

According to a source from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), while the couple’s primary residence didn’t show any indications of rodents, certain structures on their property such as a garage and two smaller houses (casitas) were found to have rodent droppings and other proof of rodent habitation.

Hantaviruses are most frequently detected during the spring and summer seasons, usually as a result of encounters with rodent droppings in residential buildings, sheds, or poorly ventilated spaces.

Hantaviruses are present globally, but a majority of reported instances within the U.S. have occurred primarily in western regions.

The virus may lead to a serious or even fatal respiratory disease. Common signs might involve persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, and a feeling of discomfort or pressure in the chest area.

In the southwestern U.S., the fatality rate for the particular Hantavirus strain can range between 38% and 50%. It’s important to note that this virus isn’t contagious from one person to another, as stated by Dr. Jarrell.

Jarrell stated that there wasn’t a dependable way to determine the precise moment of Hackman’s demise, yet he estimated that it likely occurred around February 18.

On February 11th, they mentioned that she exchanged emails with her masseuse earlier in the day, followed by a visit to a local farmers market in the afternoon.

Shortly after leaving the market, she was spotted on security cameras at a nearby pet food store. Prior to that visit, she had been captured on CCTV.

Her car was then seen on surveillance entering the gated community at 5:15pm on February 11. 

On February 11th, a day I’ll never forget, I noticed a staggering fact – multiple emails of hers remained unopened. From that day forth, there was an eerie silence from her account, a silence that still echoes within me as a dedicated fan.

Detectives have yet to get all the data from her cell phone, but they stated that the last action she took on it was on February 11th.

Jarrell said: ‘Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer´s disease,’ Jarrell said. 

His health condition was extremely weak, with severe heart issues being the primary cause that led to his demise.

Officials had also said that there was no trace of carbon monoxide in the bodies of the couple.

Previously, Elizabeth Hackman put forth an idea suggesting the couple’s death was due to carbon monoxide poisoning; however, this theory was recently debunked by authorities.

She told TMZ that the family believed their deaths came about after inhaling the toxic fumes. 

Hackman has three kids with his initial spouse, Faye Maltese. For the past three decades, he’s been wed to Arakawa, who is a gifted classical pianist.

In my professional opinion, I’ve always admired the timeless talent that was the legendary actor, Hackman. Known for his gritty yet lovable demeanor, he stood out as one of the greatest actors of his time, gracing screens in a variety of roles – from villains and heroes to complex antiheroes – across numerous dramas, comedies, and action films spanning from the 1960s all the way into the early 2000s.

He received five Oscar nominations, winning once each for “The French Connection” in 1972 and “Unforgiven” twenty years later.

In the mid-1980s, while working part-time at a gym in California, Hackman encountered Arakawa – a gifted pianist with a unique background of growing up in Hawaii.

They soon moved in together, and by the end of the decade had decamped to Santa Fe.

An inherently introverted individual, Hackman spent extended periods away from public scrutiny after his departure from the film world in 2004, leading some to label him a secluded figure.

From time to time, my heart skips a beat as I catch glimpses into the everyday life of my idol, showcased through social media snippets of angling adventures – all while he gracefully acknowledges his legendary film achievements. And oh, it’s just delightful to see him pedaling around Santa Fe on his bike occasionally!

Nestled within a gated community at the foot of the breathtaking Rocky Mountains’ southern tip lies my tranquil Pueblo-revival style abode made of warm stucco. This enchanting city of Santa Fe, often referred to as an artistic sanctuary, is renowned for its welcoming embrace of celebrities, creative minds, and literary greats alike.

In his retirement, Hackman spent a significant portion of his time pursuing two creative passions – painting and novel-writing, distancing himself from the bustle of Hollywood’s social scene.

For a number of years, he held a position on the board of directors at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, and together with his spouse, they invested in nearby enterprises.

In an interview with Empire in 2020, he said he enjoyed watching DVDs that Arakawa rented. 

Hackman said: ‘We like simple stories that some of the little low-budget films manage to produce.

On Fridays, I find myself immersed in a comedy extravaganza on the channel dedicated to humor, with a special focus on the quick-witted humor of Eddie Izzard. His thought process never ceases to amaze me.

Every Friday evening, I indulge in an uninterrupted comedy binge on the Comedy Channel, taking special note of Eddie Izzard’s performances. The pace at which he thinks is nothing short of astounding.

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2025-03-08 03:20

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