Recent updates have surfaced regarding the circumstances surrounding Betsy Arakawa’s death, merely days after the release of the final autopsy for her husband, Gene Hackman.
The couple was discovered lifeless in their Santa Fe, New Mexico residence on February 26, triggering a wave of sorrow. Though initially confounding, the details of their deaths were not considered suspicious by detectives, despite the significant time taken to unravel the sequence of events.
Sadly, it has been verified that the long-married couple passed away on different days. At age 65, Arakawa is suspected to have succumbed to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome on February 12, a rare but severe condition spread through contact with rodents.
In contrast, Hackman, aged 95, apparently passed about a week later due to heart disease, coupled with complications from Alzheimer’s.
Recent autopsy reports unveiled Hackman’s critical health issues, citing ‘severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, coronary artery stents, bypass grafts, and previous aortic valve replacement’.
‘Remote myocardial infarctions were present involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum, which were significantly large,’ the documents stated. ‘Examination of the brain showed microscopic findings consistent with advanced Alzheimer’s disease.’
The latest insights from Arakawa’s autopsy confirmed her death was due to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. This disease starts with flu-like signs such as headaches, fever, and dizziness, but can rapidly escalate to severe respiratory issues. Often mistaken for commonplace viruses, it is rarely identified until it becomes critical.
Arakawa’s autopsy noted her lungs were congested and heavy, with significant fluid buildup and mild vessel hardening supplying blood to her heart and the rest of the body.
The 63-year-old tested negative for Covid-19 and flu and displayed no traumatic injuries, with normal carbon monoxide levels. Testing showed the presence of caffeine, but no alcohol or intoxicants.
In her last days, concerning online searches led to heartbreaking revelations. According to investigators, between February 8 and February 12 morning, Arakawa extensively researched medical symptoms online.
February 10 records indicate that Arakawa queried the internet for topics like ‘can Covid cause dizziness?’ and ‘Flu and nosebleeds.’
The following day, she reached out to her massage therapist via email, canceling an appointment because Hackman had developed ‘flu/cold-like symptoms.’ Although her husband tested negative for Covid, Arakawa preferred to reschedule her appointment to February 12 ‘from an abundance of caution,’ the Associated Press reported.
That same day, she procured oxygen canisters from Amazon for ‘respiratory support’ and shopped at various stores, such as a pet food outlet and a grocery store, while donning a medical mask.
On February 12 morning, the suspected day she died, Arakawa made a brief call under two minutes to arrange a meeting with a concierge medical service for ‘congestion’ symptoms, as per BBC reports. Sadly, she didn’t attend the appointment.
May Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa rest in peace.
