# Gene Hackman death timeline: Actor's final days with wife

## Betsy Arakawa Hackman died of hantavirus more than one week before Gene Hackman died of heart disease

By Tracy Wright, 

Published March 8, 2025 4:00am EST

[](https://www.foxnews.com/video/6369748038112)

Officials confirmed Betsy Hackman died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and Gene Hackman died of hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's as a significant factor.

During a news conference Friday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza walked through what investigators had pieced together of Gene and Betsy's final days before their deaths.

On Friday, officials revealed Gene's cause of death was hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with  as a significant contributing factor. Betsy died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a disease transmitted from animals to humans that is commonly found in rodents, the New Mexico Department of Health confirmed.

Betsy's autopsy determined the manner of death as natural, and authorities believe Betsy died on about Feb. 11. Gene was likely alone in their Santa Fe home for about a week until he died around Feb. 18, the last day activity was recorded on his pacemaker.

During a news conference Friday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza walked through what investigators had pieced together of Gene and Betsy's final days before their deaths.

### Feb. 9 — Veterinary visit

During the investigation, officers discovered Betsy had picked up their , from Gruda Veterinary Hospital in Santa Fe Feb. 9.

"There was a procedure that was done with the dog which may explain why the dog was in a crate," Mendoza explained.

### Feb. 11 — "The last time that she was known to be alive"

Detectives discovered email communications between Betsy and her massage therapist from 11:21 a.m. Feb. 11.



Betsy was last seen Feb. 11 and likely died that day, according to officials.

Numerous emails received Feb. 11 remained unopened on her computer.

"There was no additional outgoing communication from her, or known activity, after Feb. 11, 2025," Mendoza said. "The cellphone information and the cell phone data is pending."

### Feb. 17 — Pacemaker activity



Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell said it was "reasonable to conclude" Betsy died the week before Gene, with the actor's death likely on Feb. 18.

Based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that Miss Hackman passed away first, with Feb. 11 being the last time that she was known to be alive," Jarrell said during the news conference.

### Feb. 18 — ‘Abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation’

Updated information recovered from Gene's pacemaker indicated "abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation" Feb. 18.



When asked if authorities believed the  was able to live on his own and survive after his wife died, Jarrell noted that the actor was in "a very poor state of health."

Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Jarrell said. "I'm not aware of what his normal daily functioning capability was. He was in a very poor state of health, and he had significant heart disease. And I think ultimately that is what resulted in his, in his death."

### Feb. 26 — Bodies discovered

 Feb. 26 by maintenance workers Jesse Kesler and Roland Lowe Begay. Kesler, who had worked as a personal contractor for the couple for 16 years, made a frantic 911 call.

Betsy was found on the floor in a bathroom of the couple's home near a space heater, showing "obvious signs of death," according to the search warrant affidavit. Gene's body was discovered in the mudroom nearby. His cane and sunglasses were near his body.



Law enforcement officials talk outside the home of actor Gene Hackman Feb. 27, 2025, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (AP Photo/Roberto Rosales)

A deep dive would likely track Gene’s descent," he said. "When were his last coherent communications? Did he have full-on dementia? Did he try to call for help?"


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