A final autopsy report shows that renowned actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy, 65, died at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico in late February 2025, but each from different causes.
Betsy was the first to die, a few days before Gene. Doctors who performed the autopsy found that she had died from hantavirus, a very rare disease caused by contact with rodent feces or urine (such as wild mice).
Hantavirus can be confused with the flu because it causes fever, cough and difficulty breathing, but it is actually much more dangerous. In Betsy's case, the virus had attacked her lungs and she had developed a severe form of the disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is often fatal if not treated in time.
According to the autopsy report, Betsy had searched online for her symptoms, thinking it could be a cold, the flu, or COVID-19, but she did not seek medical help. A test later showed that she had neither the flu nor COVID-19 — it was just hantavirus.
Gene Hackman died a few days later, while at home, where his wife's body had been lying for several days. There were no signs of violence or poisoning, and his death was ruled a natural death.
The main cause of Gene's death was serious heart and blood vessel problems, which are related to high blood pressure and blockages in the arteries. This condition is known in medicine as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease – in simpler terms, he had a heart weakened by age and blood vessels clogged with fat.
Doctors also discovered during the autopsy that Gene had advanced Alzheimer's disease. Perhaps this condition had prevented Gene from seeking help after his wife's death, or from understanding what had happened.
Their bodies were discovered on February 26 of this year by authorities. One of their dogs was also found with them, which had probably died from starvation and lack of water. The other two dogs were alive and in good condition.
The medical examiner's office officially confirmed the details of their deaths on March 7, while the autopsy had been completed on February 27, just one day after the bodies were discovered.
In their honor, the family held a private ceremony in Santa Fe, attended by Gene's three children: Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie.
Gene Hackman and his wife lived a private life for more than 20 years, since Gene retired from the film world after the release of his last film "Welcome to Mooseport" in 2004.
They were last photographed together in March 2024 during lunch at a restaurant in Santa Fe.
Suggested articles:
Source: People
