Gene Hackman's cause of death finally confirmed in harrowing autopsy report (2025)

Gene Hackman: Police release body cam footage of house

Hollywood legend GeneHackman’s cause of death has finally been confirmed in an autopsy two months later. The actor, 95, was found dead in his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, on February 26, with the circumstances of their death remaining a mystery for weeks as authorities.

Official documents confirmed that the autopsy showed “severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease”, which refers to a build-up of plaque in the arteries and high blood pressure. It spoke of large remote myocardial infarctions, where the heart's muscle has been damaged by a heart attack. It also referred to coronary artery stents and a bypass graft previously placed in the heart, as well as an aortic valve replacement. Finally, it said: "Examination of the brain showed microscopic findings of advanced-stage Alzheimer's disease."

The medical examiner also recorded that Hackman had a history of "history of congestive heart failure" and had received a "bi-ventricular pacemaker" in April 2019. His acetone levels were also found to be at 5.3 mg/dl, with typical levels going up to just 0.3 mg/dL.

Gene Hackman's cause of death has finally been revealed (Image: Getty)

Gene and Betsy's bodies were discovered in their Santa Fe home (Image: Getty)

The toxicology report also stated that acetone could be "also a product of diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis as well as a metabolite following isopropanol ingestion," leading to the conclusion that Gene's elevated levels might indicate extended periods of fasting.

Gene's wife Betsy was discovered to have passed away from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome; a rare disease transmitted by rodent droppings and urine. Gene's cause of death was confirmed not to be the same disease.

After the discovery Gene and Betsy's remains, the New Mexico Department of Public Health conducted an extensive inspection of the premises, finding it in a dire state.

The once Architectural Digest-featured mansion was overrun with rodents and clutter, with insiders who accessed the property describing it as a complete "mess."

In another harrowing discovery, medical examiners put Betsy's time of death as around ten days before Gene, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimers.

This meant Gene may have spent around a week not realising his wife was dead in their house, and a previous autopsy report found the former actor to not have any food in his stomach, hinting he may not have eaten for a week before his death.

Upon entering the property, authorities also discovered a deceased dog, and another one of their beloved pets "guarding' Betsy's body in the bathroom. Another dog was also found roaming the property, and the two pets were rehomed by authorities.