Distressing new detail about how Gene Hackman died in latest autopsy report

Gene Hackman spent days starving with hunger, confused and alone before dying at his New Mexico mansion, a disturbing new autopsy report has revealed.

The Oscar-winning actor was found dead aged 95 in his New Mexico home alongside Arakawa, 64, in February, with investigators concluding Arakawa died first after contracting a rare rat-borne disease Hantavirus.

For up to seven days after Arakawa died, Hackman – who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease – remained inside the home before he died from heart failure.

In his latest autopsy released on Sunday, first obtained by Fox News, it was found that Hackman died with acetone in his system, a sign of a ‘prolonged level of fasting.’

The grim finding shows that Hackman had no food for some time before he died, and due to his advanced cognitive deterioration, officials said the actor may not have ever realized his wife had died.

His autopsy noted that he had a ‘history of congestive heart failure’, was fitted with a ‘bi-ventricular pacemaker’ since April 2019, and suffered ‘neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer’s Disease.’

At a press conference weeks after the couple were found, Dr. Heather Jarrell, Chief Medical Examiner for New Mexico said Alzheimer’s Disease and kidney failure were ‘significant contributing factors’ to Hackman’s death.

Jarrell said authorities believe the actor died on February 18, and Arakawa died on February 11 following a bout with ‘Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.’

An autopsy report released two months after the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa (pictured in 1994) reveals the actor likely starved in his final days after his wife passed away first

An autopsy eventually revealed that Arakawa died on February 11 from Hantavirus, a rare but fatal disease spread by rodents, while Hackman (seen in March 2024) died from a combination of heart disease and Alzheimer’s seven days later

The autopsy, from the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico, noted that Hackman tested negative for the Hantavirus that killed his wife.

The documents added in their findings: ‘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.’

A report obtained by DailyMail.com indicated that Arakawa had bookmarks on her computer suggesting that she had been researching medical conditions with symptoms similar to Covid-19 or the flu prior to her death.

When news of the couple’s demise first broke, speculation fell on whether they fell victim to carbon monoxide poisoning, but the medical examiner noted that testing of carbon monoxide in the home was ‘in keeping with a normal range.’

A week after the bodies were discovered, the New Mexico Department of Public Health conducted a health assessment on the property.

The department concluded that dead rodents and their nests were found in ‘eight detached outbuildings’ on the Hackman property, making it a ‘breeding ground’ for the hantavirus.

The grim finding in Hackman’s autopsy shows he had no food for some time before he died, and due to his advanced cognitive deterioration, officials said the actor may not have ever realized his wife had died

Investigators believe Hackman wandered through the home for days as he suffered Alzheimer’s Disease, as his autopsy found he likely went without food in his final days

Medication was found strewn around the home when authorities arrived

The deadly hantavirus typically spreads through rodent urine and droppings that one may come into contact with when cleaning a basement or an attic.

There were droppings found in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds on the property.

Additionally, there was a live rodent, a dead rodent and a rodent nest found in three more garages on the property, according to the inspectors.

There were also two vehicles seen on the estate that had evidence of rodents, and they even found traps in the buildings as well, suggesting this had been an ongoing issue for the Hackmans.

Inside the home, medication was also found strewn throughout the property.

One of the couple’s beloved dogs was found dead in a cage after apparently becoming trapped and starving to death following their passing.

Bodycam footage of police arriving at the couple’s home showed the moment cops found their bodies and that of one of their dogs, which was trapped in a cage

Police photos taken in the home showed a collection of completed jigsaws stacked in a pile on top of a table, suggesting that the couple frequently worked on puzzles

A collection of heartbreaking handwritten notes found at the home have revealed the Hollywood legend’s love and devotion to his wife Betsy

The health assessment was conducted to assess whether first responders or others who were on the property were safe from the virus.

Cops who combed their home following the gruesome discovery shared bodycam footage which captured how the couple’s other heartbroken dog watched over Betsy’s lifeless body as it lay surrounded by clutter.

A series of heartbreaking notes were also found dotted around the house, each exchanged between the couple and showing their affection for one another until the end.

Photos of their adored German Shepherds also adorned tables and sideboards, with smiling pictures of the couple with their old pets dating back years.