Legendary actor Gene Hackmanโs cause of death has been revealed as severe cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimerโs disease playing a significant contributing role, New Mexico officials announced Friday (March 7, 2025). The 95-year-old screen icon lived for approximately a week after his wife, Betsy Hackman, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndromeโa severe respiratory condition transmitted through contact with infected rodentsโin their shared living room, according to officials.
The two-time Oscar winner, whose illustrious Hollywood career spanned four decades, and his wife of 30 years, accomplished classical pianist Betsy Hackman, were discovered in different rooms of their residence during a wellness check on Feb. 26. While no external trauma was evident on either body, investigators noted that Hackmanโs pacemaker had recorded its final reading on Feb. 17, suggesting he had been deceased for at least seven days before being found in a mud room adjacent to the coupleโs kitchen. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza initially stated that foul play wasnโt suspected in the deaths of the couple, who had been living quietly in their Old Sunset Trail Road home since stepping away from the Hollywood spotlight in 2004.
The autopsy revealed that Gene Hackman had advanced Alzheimerโs disease, and officials suggested he might have been unaware of his wifeโs passing during his final days. Medical experts noted that while the iconic actorโs exact mental state before and after his wifeโs death remains unclear, he was found in โvery poor healthโ with no food in his stomach, though he wasnโt dehydrated when he died.

โWe cannot definitively determine the exact time or date of death through any reliable scientific method,โ stated Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical examiner at the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, during a Friday press conference outside the Santa Fe Sheriffโs Office. โMr. Hackmanโs pacemaker data showed cardiac activity on Feb. 17, followed by atrial fibrillation on Feb. 18. Given the circumstances, we can reasonably conclude that Ms. Hackman died first, with Feb. 11 being her last confirmed day alive.โ
During the press conference, Jarrell revealed the findings from both Hackmansโ autopsies. She detailed that Gene Hackmanโs examination showed severe cardiac disease, including signs of multiple heart surgeries and previous heart attacks. The beloved actorโs autopsy also revealed significant kidney damage resulting from long-term hypertension.
The examination of his brain tissue indicated advanced Alzheimerโs disease, along with blood vessel alterations in the brain, which Jarrell explained were secondary effects of chronic high blood pressure, as she informed reporters on Friday.
Tragically, Betsy Hackman succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndromeโa severe respiratory illness transmitted through contact with infected rodentsโat least a week before what investigators believe to be Gene Hackmanโs passing. The virus, part of a family that spreads to humans through rodent contact, typically manifests symptoms within one to eight weeks of exposure. Initial symptoms can mirror those of the flu before rapidly progressing to severe respiratory distress, dangerous drops in blood pressure, and eventual organ failure.

Surveillance footage captured Betsy Hackmanโs final public appearances on Feb. 11, as she visited several local establishments including CVS, a market, and a pet supply store, Sheriff Mendoza reported. He noted that her computer showed no activity after what appears to be her last email exchange with a massage therapist that same day, marking her final known communication outside the residence.
โWeโve confirmed there was no additional outgoing communication from her or known activity after Feb. 11, 2025,โ the Sheriff stated, adding that authorities were collaborating with state police โto get the information from [cell] phones.โ
During Fridayโs briefing, Dr. Jarrell confirmed that Gene Hackmanโs autopsy revealed no evidence of hantavirus infection.
Officials at the press conference took a moment to correct previous reports, emphasizing that Betsy Hackman should not be referenced by her maiden name, Arakawa.

Among the coupleโs three dogs, Zinnia, an Australian Kelpie mix, was discovered deceased in a crate near the bathroom where Betsy Hackman was found. Officials explained that the dogโs recent surgery likely explained its separation from the coupleโs two German Shepherds in the crated space.
The investigation into the Hackmansโ deaths began on Feb. 26 when authorities discovered the bodies of the couple and their dog at the residence. Reports indicated a concerning pattern of isolationโGene Hackman hadnโt communicated with one of his daughters for months, while Betsy had stopped her regular weekly calls with her mother in Hawaii.
At Fridayโs press conference, Dr. Erin Phipps, New Mexico Department of Healthโs state public health veterinarian, shared crucial information about hantavirus, noting that the strain common to the American southwest carries a mortality rate of 38 to 50 percent. She emphasized that person-to-person transmission of the virus doesnโt occur in the United States.