Gene Hackman told a friend that he would have died ‘long ago’ without wife Betsy Arakawa by his side, it has been claimed.
The bodies of the French Connection actor, 95, and classical pianist, 65, were discovered at their home in Santa Fe at the end of February, along with their dog.
Last week, officials stated that his cause of death was due to heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s as a ‘significant contributory factor’.
They also shared that Arakawa may have died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome days before her partner – and suggested that it was ‘quite possible’ he was unaware of her death.
In a new interview, Hackman’s longtime friend spoke about the couple and how the musician ‘really looked after’ the Oscar-winner throughout the course of their 33-year marriage.
‘She was very protective of him,’ Tom Allin told the New York Times, explaining that Hackman didn’t seem to have a mobile phone, meaning they would schedule visits and golf games through Arakawa.
Allin also revealed that his late pal said that he would have been dead ‘long ago’ without his wife making sure that he ate healthily and taking care of his needs.
The couple tied the knot in December 1991, after dating for around seven years – the Unforgiven actor was also a dad to three children from a previous marriage to Faye Maltese.
They were found dead in their home just a few weeks ago, with Hackman discovered in the kitchen while Arakawa was in the kitchen with one of their dogs, with scattered pills on the bathroom counter.
Officers confirmed that they had been ‘dead for some time’, with their bodies showing signs of decomposition and mummification.
Speaking in a press conference held on Friday, New Mexico Chief Medical Investigator Dr Heather Jarrell suggested that Hackman died around February 18, due to heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease ‘as a significant contributory factor’.
She also announced that his wife’s last known movements came a week earlier, on February 11, and that she died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Shedding light on the rare hantavirus infection, Jarrell explained it shows up as flu-like symptoms, but can progress to ‘shortness of breath, heart failure, and lung failure’.
What is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?
According to the Mayo Clinic, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare infectious disease that begins with flu-like symptoms, and can rapidly progress to a more severe condition – leading to lung and heart problems.
It can be carried by different types of rodents – infection is usually caused by inhaling hantaviruses that have become airborne from rodent urine, droppings or saliva.
It is not transmitted from person to person.
Officials also retrieved thyroid medication from their search.
In a heartbreaking update, she explained that it was ‘quite possible’ that Hackman was unaware that Arakawa had died, due to his increased Alzheimer’s condition.
Addressing reporters, Jarrell said she saw no evidence that he was dehydrated, but found no food in his stomach during the autopsy, meaning he ‘had not eaten recently’ when he died.
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