Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, died of natural causes roughly a week after his wife Betsy, 65, succumbed to hantavirus, New Mexico’s medical examiner announced March 7, 2025.
Found February 26 in their Santa Fe home, the Gene Hackman Death tied to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, worsened by Alzheimer’s, ended days of speculation about the Hollywood legend’s fate.
Gene Hackman Autopsy Details
Chief examiner Heather Jarrell pegged Hackman’s death to February 18, based on his pacemaker’s last ping, with Betsy’s likely on February 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome—a flu-like illness from mouse droppings exposure. “No trauma, no carbon monoxide,” Jarrell said, ruling out early theories. Betsy’s body lay in the bathroom with pills scattered, Hackman’s elsewhere—clothed, sunglasses nearby—hinting at a sudden collapse. Alzheimer’s may have left him unaware of her passing, Jarrell noted, despite family denials of the diagnosis.
BREAKING: Gene Hackman's cause of death is "Hypertensive and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor." Betsy Hackman died of "Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, the manner of death is natural," chief medical examiner says pic.twitter.com/nhzCEOnlm0
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) March 7, 2025First responders found an open door, a dead dog in the bathroom, and two living pups roaming the property. Maintenance crews denied entry earlier and triggered the call. Hantavirus, brewing one to eight weeks, likely felled Betsy first, with Hackman’s heart giving out later.
Read: Gene Hackman Likely Died 9 Days Before Being Found
The Gene Hackman Death caps a private couple’s quiet end, detectives struggled to map their final days, given their reclusive life.
Gene Hackman's wife died from a rare infectious disease around a week before the actor died, medical investigators have said.
Hackman had advanced Alzheimer's and died from heart disease.
➡️ https://t.co/5hGMfp1GAN pic.twitter.com/yk5FpXpHDq
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 7, 2025The Gene Hackman Death, heart disease after Betsy’s hantavirus shock pairs a Hollywood titan’s exit with mystery.
