NEW MEXICO – Days before she and her husband, actor Gene Hackman, died at their home, Ms Betsy Arakawa repeatedly searched online about flu- and Covid-19-like symptoms, according to records released on April 15 by New Mexico authorities.
The records – including witness interviews, photographs of the scene and police body camera footage – provided new insights into the final days of the couple at their home near Santa Fe in February.
After his wife’s death, Hackman, 95, lived alone in the home for nearly a week before dying of heart disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a contributing factor.
Ms Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus, which is contracted through the exposure to excrement from rodents. It can cause flu-like symptoms before progressing to shortness of breath as well as cardiac and lung failure.
Police records released on April 15 included her Google searches a couple of days before her death, including “Can Covid cause dizziness?” and “Flu and nosebleeds” on Feb 10.
The next day, she e-mailed her massage therapist to cancel an appointment, writing that her husband woke up that morning with “flu/cold-like symptoms” but had tested negative for Covid-19. That day, she ordered oxygen canisters from Amazon for “respiratory support”.
The couple’s family had asked a court in New Mexico to prevent the authorities from releasing records, citing a desire for privacy.
Hackman, known for his roles in The French Connection and Hoosiers, and Ms Arakawa had lived for many years in a secluded neighbourhood east of Santa Fe, at the top of a large hill.
They were frequently described as reclusive and had grown even more isolated in recent years, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some news organisations opposed the family’s request, and a judge ordered that officials could release photographs and body camera footage as long as the couple’s bodies were not visible.
The bodies were discovered on Feb 26 after a maintenance worker who was working for them grew concerned when communication with Ms Arakawa about fireproofing materials for the home suddenly ceased.
When he went to the home with a neighbourhood security guard, the two men found a partially open door leading to the bathroom where she was found lying on the floor.
Investigators later found Hackman on the floor of the mudroom on the opposite end of the house.
“He showed signs of active decay, including blackened hands with tissue breakdown,” Detective Joel Cano wrote in a report released on April 15.
One of the couple’s dogs was found dead in a crate, where she had been recovering from gallbladder and spleen surgery. A report from a veterinary lab determined that it most likely died from dehydration and starvation.
Footage from the room where Ms Arakawa was found showed a counter scattered with pills, which were found to be unrelated to her death. The dog was found in a crate in an adjoining room with dressers and a sofa.
The New Mexico Department of Health identified rodent faeces in three garages and two smaller guest homes. Three sheds were also accessible to rodents.
On the day the bodies were found, a pest control worker was visiting the home to complete his monthly visit to treat the perimeter.
The extent of Ms Arakawa’s symptoms before her death is still unclear. On Feb 11, security footage showed her visiting shops, including a pet food store and a grocery store, while wearing a medical mask.
The next day, she called to schedule an appointment with a concierge medical service, reporting symptoms of congestion, but did not show up. The autopsy found inflammation in her lungs.
The chief medical examiner has said that because Hackman, who tested negative for hantavirus, had advanced Alzheimer’s disease, it was unclear whether he was aware that his wife had died. There were no indications he called for help.
In a police interview with his two daughters – whom he had with his first wife – they said he did not know how to operate a cellphone and could not send e-mails. They were aware that he had memory issues, according to the report by Detective Cano.
“They recalled that on Jan 30, 2024, Gene had to be reminded three times that it was his birthday,” he wrote. NYTIMES
Late actor Gene Hackman’s wife died at least a day later than originally thought A haunting coda: The 7 days Gene Hackman’s wife could no longer care for him
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