Gene Hackman Lived With Late Wife’s Body for a Week Before His Passing
Hollywood legend Gene Hackman reportedly spent a week in the same house as his wife, Betsy Hackman, before his passing. The 95-year-old actor died from severe cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a contributing factor.
Authorities conducted a wellness check at the couple’s Santa Fe home on February 26, where they discovered Betsy had passed away a week earlier in the living room due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory illness linked to rodent exposure. Hackman was found in another room, near the kitchen.
Investigators suspect that due to his advanced Alzheimer’s, Hackman may not have been aware of his wife’s passing. Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed there were no signs of foul play, and officials believe Hackman was already in poor health before his death.
“There is no reliable scientific method to accurately determine the exact time or date of death. Mr. Hackman’s initial pacemaker data revealed cardiac activity on Feb. 17, with subsequent pacemaker interrogation demonstrating an abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation on Feb. 18. Based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that Ms. Hackman passed away first — with Feb. 11 being the last time that she was known to be alive,”