Authorities say Gene Hackman spent his final years retired from acting, living with heart disease and Alzheimer’s
Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe home. Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, transmitted by infected rodents. Hackman died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease approximately a week later. Authorities found no external trauma and ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning. Hackman was reportedly in poor health and may have been unable to seek help after his wife's death.