Gene Hackman’s Shocking Autopsy: Hidden Health Battles Unveiled

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Fresh insights have surfaced concerning the demise of Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman. It’s been about two months since the renowned Lex Luthor actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered deceased in their Santa Fe residence. The circumstances surrounding their deaths led to an investigation given their ages (Hackman was 95 and Arakawa was 65). Upon discovery of their bodies, police deemed their deaths as “suspicious” as they found the couple’s remains in different areas of the house, along with one of their dogs. The initial autopsy reports highlighted some of their health problems, but a subsequent release of Hackman’s final autopsy report has disclosed additional underlying health complications.

An autopsy on Gene Hackman revealed extensive atherosclerosis and hypertension in the cardiovascular system, which included the placement of coronary artery stents and a bypass graft, as well as a prior aortic valve replacement. It was reported by Fox News Digital that Arakawa likely passed away a week before Hackman, with Hackman being unaware due to his advanced Alzheimer’s disease. The cause of Arakawa’s death was hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a seldom seen disease transmitted through rodents.

There were sizable myocardial infarctions detected in the left ventricular free wall and the septum, located remotely. Upon closer inspection, the brain revealed microscopic signs suggestive of advanced Alzheimer’s disease.

The time of Hackman’s passing was roughly determined based on the last activity logged on his “bi-ventricular pacemaker,” a device he received in April 2019. In contrast, Arakawa’s probable date of death is February 12th, which was the last day she communicated via email or phone.

Hackman had a history of congestive heart failure, severe chronic hypertension affecting the kidneys, and neurological changes suggestive of Alzheimer’s disease. A maintenance worker found both Hackman and Arakawa deceased on February 26th.

In the mud room, Gene Hackman was discovered, seemingly having collapsed unexpectedly. Arakawa’s body was found in a bathroom on her side, with a German shepherd deceased around 10 to 15 feet away. A space heater was near Arakawa, and an open prescription bottle along with some scattered pills were on the counter, as stated in the search warrant executed upon discovering their deaths. Hackman’s relatives prompted a police investigation into carbon monoxide poisoning, but the Santa Fe City Fire Department found no traces during their inspection.

Following the actor’s demise, remarks from his family and intimate friends provided a peek into the lives of both Hackman and Arakawa. Daniel and Barbara Lenihan, who were long-time friends with the two, along with their son Aaron, shared with People details about Hackman’s deteriorating health in recent times. They explained that during the “last few months,” Hackman had been noticeably weakening and was experiencing a significant decline in his health.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve found myself in recent times, rather secluded at home, much like the characters in some of Hackman’s iconic films. My wife Barbara has shared that around a year ago, he stopped his daily routine of pedaling his bike through our neighborhood.

Aaron mentioned that Betsy was making efforts to ensure he remained somewhat busy and involved, explaining that Hackman took part in puzzle-solving and Zoom yoga sessions for physical activity. Essentially, Aaron pointed out that Betsy was doing her best to keep Hackman active, engaged, and healthy.

Speaking from my movie-buff perspective, I’ve heard Barbara share with People magazine that “Betsy was in tip-top health” and “was as fit as a fiddle.” Aaron mentioned that Betsy was particularly mindful around Mr. Hackman, revealing that “she took great care of him regarding COVID, always donning a mask whenever we crossed paths outside.

Amongst Hackman’s memorable roles is that of Lex Luthor, the infamous DC villain, in the 1978 movie “Superman”. He reprised this role in “Superman II” (1980) and again in “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” (1987). This consistency makes him one of the most identifiable figures in the “Superman” series, alongside Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal of Superman. Notable films outside of this franchise include “Hoosiers”, “The French Connection”, and “Unforgiven”. The latter two earned him two Academy Awards for Best Actor.

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2025-04-29 01:19