Santa Fe, New Mexico – Betsy Arakawa, the wife of renowned actor Gene Hackman, was reportedly found spending her final days Googling symptoms of COVID-19 and ordering oxygen canisters to their home in New Mexico. Investigators uncovered this information after examining Arakawa’s search history and emails on her unlocked laptop, which was discovered near where her body was found. The incident report highlighted her online searches for breathing techniques and her email canceling an appointment due to COVID-like symptoms.
Arakawa, who passed away from the rodent-borne hantavirus, was found deceased alongside Hackman in their home a few weeks later. Medical examinations revealed that Arakawa died from the hantavirus a week before Hackman’s death from cardiovascular disease and advanced Alzheimer’s. The New Mexico OMI chief medical investigator, Dr. Heather Jarrell, emphasized the challenges in pinpointing the exact time or date of death in such circumstances.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County noted the discrepancy in their times of death due to Hackman’s Alzheimer’s condition, suggesting that Hackman may have been able to survive on his own for a week after Arakawa’s passing. The couple, married for 34 years, was discovered after a home maintenance worker raised concerns and requested a welfare check.
The tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of Arakawa and Hackman shed light on the complexities of their final days. Despite the challenges in determining the sequence of events leading to their passing, the investigation revealed Arakawa’s concern for her husband’s well-being and her proactive approach to addressing health issues. The couple’s beloved pets were also found on the property, underscoring the devastation of their sudden loss.