Sad isolation: Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa died in despair

Sad isolation: Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa died in despair

Gene Hackman, the famed Oscar-winning actor, and his wife Betsy Arakawa have passed away, with their sad circumstances making headlines in recent weeks. Hackman, who died at age 95, and Arakawa, who lived to be 65, were found in their badly neglected home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The circumstances of her death shine a harsh light on the isolation in which the couple lived and the devastating health problems they faced, such as Vol.at reported.

Nine days after Betsy Arakawa's death, the couple's body was discovered. Police camera footage released two months after the incident shows a rundown property permeated by unpleasant odors. Officers reported filthy rooms and were dealing with the effects of extreme neglect when they entered the home. Traces of dead rodents as well as feces and urine were found in the house, leading to a judgment as a “breeding ground for vermin”. Betsy's body was found near a locked door, where she was lying with one of her dogs. Gene Hackman's body was discovered near the kitchen.

cause of death

Betsy Arakawa died of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), officials in New Mexico confirmed. It is a serious disease that is usually transmitted through contact with rodents and their excrement. The symptoms, which range from severe fatigue to fever and breathing problems, appeared several weeks after exposure. The CDC has repeatedly warned in the past about the dangers of the virus, which has caused numerous deaths since it was monitored in 1993, such as CBC explained.

Gene Hackman reportedly suffered from Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease. His death, just days after his wife's, is believed to be the result of heart failure, probably linked to his dementia. Investigators believe Hackman lived in the house with his wife's body for several days without seeking help or having contact with the outside world.

An isolated life

The couple's daughters have spoken of the extreme isolation in which their parents lived. They had no personal contact with the family for a year and a half and repeatedly refused help. A devastating detail is the death of one of her dogs in a locked dog crate, presumably from hunger and thirst, while two other dogs survived. Notes and an email from Betsy expressing concern for Gene Hackman's health show that the couple appeared to be battling his declining health. Despite negative Covid tests and postponed medical appointments, they remained isolated in their condition.

The couple's funeral took place in a small family circle in Santa Fe. Questions about the estimated net worth of around $80 million also remain unanswered. This tragic story is a reminder not only of loneliness, but also of the potential dangers posed by neglected living conditions, particularly in the context of rodent infections AP News reported.