by Mick the Ram

The investigation into the suspicious deaths of Hollywood actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and one of their pet dogs, took a heartbreaking turn with the release of findings, following their autopsies.

Their mummified bodies were discovered on 26 February after security personnel were alerted by maintenance workers unable to gain entry to the couple’s private four-bedroom residence, which is hidden by trees at the end of a luxurious cul-de-sac, east of the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

It is confirmed that 65-year-old Betsy died as early as 11 February from hantavirus, which is a rare lung infection contracted through exposure to the faeces of rodents.

Tragically, it seems that the Hollywood actor who was 95-years-old and had advanced Alzheimer’s, lived for a further week without his devoted partner of three decades by his side to feed and care for him and it is possible he may well have been unaware of his beloved wife’s passing.

Their treasured dog Zinna, also died in incredibly distressing circumstances, locked in a crate having been brought home from a medical procedure and the belief is death was caused by dehydration and starvation, as no food was found in its stomach.

Two other pet dogs survived, as they were found roaming free in the grounds of the home, indicating that they had access to food and water via a “dog door”.

No contact after 11 Feb

Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County said that investigators had determined that on 9 February, Ms Arakawa had picked up Zinna from a veterinarian after the dog underwent a medical procedure, which he suggested could explain why the dog was being kept in a crate (tragically for its own protection).

Two days later on the 11th, an email was sent to her massage therapist and some time later Betsy was seen at a nearby grocery store, as well as being identified on a surveillance video making a brief stop at a pharmacy.

Friends said that Ms Arakawa always wore a mask while in public, to avoid bringing any germs or potential illness back to her fragile and medically vulnerable husband.

Rapid decline

The autopsy concluded (aided by the fact that no emails were responded to from early on the 11th) that this was the day of her passing.

It has been determined that at some point after returning home, she began to decline rapidly. She made her way to her bathroom where she was found more than two weeks later, lying on the floor with her head next to a space heater and thyroid medication pills scattered all around her.

Dog died close by

Zinna – a 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix – was found in the same bathroom around 10 feet from her owner, with whom friends have said the dog had a very close bond. It is therefore likely that the poor animal will have died in extreme distress.  

New Mexico State Public Health Veterinarian Erin Phipps could not completely rule out Zinna being exposed to the infection that led to Betsy’s death, but she deemed it extremely unlikely as in her own words: “dogs do not get sick from hantavirus”.

A German Shepherd named Bear and a second dog named Nikita, who survived outside of the property, are now being cared for by friends.

Incredibly rare

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) causes a deadly build-up of fluid on the lungs and is so rare in the US that only one or two people die from contracting it each year. Indeed there have only been around 1,000 cases in the past three decades, mostly occurring among farmers, hikers and the homeless.

HPS initially presents itself with flu-like symptoms, but can severely lower blood pressure and lead to organ failure. It is spread through the inhalation of airborne particles containing the virus, which is typically found in the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents.

Ms Arakawa is thought to have possibly become infected either at the couple’s garage or one of their outhouses, where rodent droppings have subsequently been found.

Star’s tragic end

Mr Hackman’s death has officially been given as hypersensitive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor. It is believed that he may have wandered around their large 9,000 square foot home, in a disoriented state for a full seven days, without his loyal and loving partner to feed and care for him.

It is understood that the actor never used or even owned a cellphone, so would not have been able to call for help. His autopsy showed his stomach was empty at the time of his life ending, which occurred with his cane and sunglasses by his side, apparently after suffering a fall. His pacemaker’s last recorded activity was on 18 February.

True A-Lister

The much celebrated actor enjoyed a career that spanned more than six decades, receiving two Academy Awards, two Baftas, four Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

He shot to fame in Bonnie and Clyde at the end of the 1960’s and went on to feature in more than 80 films including Lex Luthor in Superman movies, and starring roles in blockbusters such as: The French Connection, Unforgiven, Mississippi Burning, The Poseidon Adventure, The Firm, andEnemy Of The State.