Gene Hackman died days after wife Betsy Arakawa passed away from rare disease

Gene Hackman is believed to have died nearly a week after his wife Betsy Arakawa passed away from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome – a rare rodent-carried disease.

Officials in Santa Fe, New Mexico gave an update on their investigation into the unexplained deaths of the couple at their home last month.

Ms Arakawa was last observed alive on February 11, when she was captured on surveillance cameras visiting a local CVS pharmacy and dog food store before returning to her gated community, Santa Fe Sheriff Adam Mendoza said.

February 11 is also the last day 64-year-old Ms Arakawa had email communications.

Mr Hackman, likely died on February 18, when his pacemaker last recorded his heartbeat, according to Dr Heather Jarrell, New Mexico Chief Medical Investigator.

The 95-year-old was hypertensive, had atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease as well as Alzheimer’s disease, which Dr Jarrell said was “a significant contributory factor.”

The couple’s home in New Mexico. / Credit: AP

“Based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that Ms Arakawa passed away first,” Dr Jarrell told reporters.

“He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that is what resulted in his in his death,” the medical investigator said.

“Its quite possible that he was not aware that [his wife] was deceased.”

While Dr Jarrell said she didn’t see signs of dehydration in the actor, she did see evidence he “had not eaten recently.”

Ms Arakawa’s body was found on the floor of a bathroom in the couple’s home. The body of their dog was found nearby.

The cause of the pet’s death is still to be determined, though dogs cannot carry hantavirus.

Hantavirus is typically carried by rodents and can be passed to humans through contact with their urine and excrement.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which can develop from contact with the virus, is fatal in four out of ten cases.

Officials say this is still an open investigation as they work to establish a clearer timeline.