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The world truly lost some of its light with the recent news of the passing of celebrated actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. The 95-year-old Hollywood legend and his 65-year-old spouse were found deceased at their Sante Fe Summit, New Mexico home less than a month ago now on February 26. It has been reported that the couple lived a quiet, and happy life away from the spotlight before their tragic and untimely demise.
In recent news, a member of Hackman’s inner circle has spoken out about Gene and Betsy’s relationship. Tom Allin who had been friends with Hackman for around 20 years, shared some insights into the couple’s dynamic in a conversation with The New York Times. He spoke positively about their connection and even stated that Betsy:
"She was very protective of him”
Especially as the actor grew frailer with age.
Tom Allin elaborates on the Hackman/Arakawa Dynamic, the Cause of Death
In The New York Times interview, Allin detailed the inner workings of the couple’s equation. He stated that Hackman would have perished "long ago" without Arakawa’s stewardship and that the actor "seemed happy" to have his wife "run things" and take care of him. Betsy was also responsible for keeping his diet and other impulses in check and filling his schedule with engaging activities to help keep his body and mind as sharp as possible.
The initial cause of death for both parties was deemed to be carbon monoxide poisoning, but the prognosis has since been updated. New Mexico's chief medical examiner, Heather Jarrell, confirmed to reporters on March 7 that “Arakawa had died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome”, stemming from a rare disease known as hantavirus.
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According to the Mayo Clinic, hantavirus is a pulmonary syndrome that begins with flu-like symptoms and progresses rapidly to increasing severity. It is most commonly transmitted to humans from rodents by way of their urine, saliva, and droppings. An established veterinarian with the New Mexico Health Department, Erin Phipps added that there had been less than 10 cases of hantavirus in the state in the last five years.
Authorities have claimed that Hackman passed due to a combination of factors including severe heart disease, high blood pressure, and advanced-stage Alzheimer’s. The circumstances of their deaths are truly heartbreaking as they both passed separately in their home. One of their dogs was also found dead in a closet in their home, but no official reports have been released in terms of the cause of death.
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