Gene Hackman, wife died of natural causes

Deaths were caused by heart disease, rat droppings

Hollywood actor Gene Hackman died from heart disease while showing severe signs of Alzheimer's, likely days after his wife Betsy Arakawa died from the effects of hantavirus, a rare infection spread by mice, authorities announced on Friday, as per DW.

The couple were found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 26, but the cause of death had not been clear at the time.

Hackman was 95 at the time of his death while Arakawa was 65. The Santa Fe sheriff's office had already said that the actor likely died on February 17, as that was when the last signal from his pacemaker was registered.

"Mr Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Chief Medical Investigator Heather Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that's what resulted in his death."

Hackman was found in the entryway to his home. Alzheimer's is believed to have contributed to his heart problems.

Arakawa's death was linked to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease contracted from rodent droppings that can be fatal.

She was found with an open prescription bottle, with pills scattered across the bathroom counter. Authorities could not say how quickly Arakawa died after contracting the infection.

Both appeared to have suddenly fallen to the floor, with neither showing signs of blunt-force trauma.

Hackman was one of Hollywood's most prolific actors, having starred in more than 80 films. He was celebrated for his craft, earning several Oscar nominations and winning twice, once as best actor in 1972 for his role as detective Popeye Doyle in The French Connection and once in 1993 as best supporting actor for Unforgiven.

Arakawa was a pianist, but she mostly stopped her live performances after the couple married in 1991, according to The New York Times.