Gene Hackman Survived a Week Alone with ‘Advanced’ Alzheimer’s After Wife’s Death, Medical Examiner Says

Legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman likely survived for a week alone with “advanced” Alzheimer’s disease in his New Mexico home after the death of his wife Betsy Arakawa last month, a medical examiner revealed on Friday afternoon.

Dr. Heather Jarrell, the chief medical investigator for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, offered an update about the mysterious deaths of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65.

Jarrell told reporters Friday it was her belief that Arakwawa died as early as Feb. 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is a virus spread by rodents.

Hackman likely survived for an additional week and ultimately died from natural causes.

The couple was found dead last week, along with one of their dogs.

Carbon monoxide poisoning was suspected but quickly ruled out.

Jarrell said after examining the scene, she believed Hackman was left alone for a significant period of time after the death of his wife – who was found in a bathroom.

Hackman’s body was found in the mud room of the couple’s estate.

“The cause of death for Mr. Gene Hackman, aged 95 years, is hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor,” Jarrell said. She added:

Autopsy examination and a full-body postmortem examination demonstrated no acute findings of internal or external trauma and showed severe heart disease, including multiple surgical procedures involving the heart. Evidence of prior heart attacks and severe changes of the kidneys due to chronic high blood pressure. Examination of the brain showed advanced Alzheimer’s disease, as well as blood vessel changes in the brain secondary to chronic high blood pressure.

While Jarrell said she could not offer specific dates of death for Hackman and Arakawa with 100 percent certainty, she theorized the deaths were seven days apart.

“It is reasonable to conclude that Mr. Hackman probably died around February 18th,” she said. “Based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that Miss Hackman passed away first, with February 11th being the last time that she was known to be alive.”

Watch above via CNN.