Gene Hackman’s medical history has been further illuminated with the release of his final autopsy report, two months following his passing.
The acclaimed actor passed away in February 2025, along with his wife Betsy Arakawa. Initial concerns suggested carbon monoxide poisoning, as they were discovered in their New Mexico home. However, it was later clarified that Hackman and Arakawa died on separate days and from distinct causes.
It is believed that Arakawa succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome on February 11, while Hackman, known for his role in Superman, died from heart disease on February 18. Their bodies remained undiscovered until February 25.
Alzheimer’s disease is also noted as a contributing factor to Hackman’s death, with more insights into his health history now available.
The final autopsy report accessed by Fox News detailed Hackman’s ‘history of congestive heart failure’ along with ‘severe chronic hypertensive changes, kidneys’.
In April 2019, the actor had a ‘bi-ventricular pacemaker’ implanted, and ‘neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer’s Disease’ were also observed.
The report documents: “Autopsy showed severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with placement of coronary artery stents and a bypass graft, as well as a previous aortic valve replacement.
“Remote myocardial infarctions were present involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum, which were significantly large. Examination of the brain showed microscopic findings of advanced stage Alzheimer’s disease.”
Initially, carbon monoxide poisoning was suspected, but Hackman was tested, showing results ‘less than 5% saturation, in keeping with a normal range’.
Regarding Arakawa’s death, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare but rising condition in the US, responsible for the deaths of three individuals in close succession in a California town.
Dr. Tom Boo, Mono County Public Health Officer, commented on April 3: “A third case of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), each of which has been fatal, is tragic and alarming.
“We don’t have a clear sense of where this young adult may have contracted the virus. The home had no evidence of mouse activity. We observed some mice in the workplace, which is not unusual for indoor spaces this time of year in Mammoth Lakes.
“We haven’t identified any other activities in the weeks before illness that would have increased this person’s exposure to mice or their droppings. We’ve been aware of this suspected case for some weeks, but it has taken time to obtain testing.”
The first case of Hantavirus in Mono County was identified in 1993.