In brief
Hollywood mourns the loss of two legends, with Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman dying from coronary artery disease and Alzheimer's at 95, just days after his wife Betsy succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome at 65.
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, experienced a heartbreaking loss, passing away just one week apart. Hackman, renowned for his iconic roles in films like *The French Connection* and *Unforgiven*, died at the age of 95 in their Santa Fe home. His death was attributed to coronary artery disease, compounded by advanced Alzheimer's.Betsy, 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare respiratory illness contracted from infected rodents. Authorities believe she passed first on February 11, while Hackman followed on February 18. Given Hackman's Alzheimer's, it’s possible he was unaware of his wife's death.The New Mexico Public Health Veterinarian highlighted that hantavirus is exceedingly rare, with only 136 cases reported across the state in 50 years. Investigations found some evidence of rodent activity on their property, but the main house was deemed low-risk. During a welfare check, authorities found the couple's bodies inside their home. The scene revealed Hackman's body in a side room with personal items close by, and Betsy's body in the bathroom. Medications were also found nearby.The couple enjoyed a long marriage of over 30 years, having met in the 1980s. Hackman, who stepped back from Hollywood over a decade ago, leaves behind three adult children from a previous marriage.
