Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Laid to Rest 2 Months After Deaths: Report

Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa have reportedly been laid to rest two months after their deaths.

A private memorial was held for Hackman and Arakawa in Santa Fe, New Mexico, People reported on Tuesday, April 15. The service was attended by Hackman’s three children, son Christopher Allen and daughters Elizabeth Jean and Leslie Anne, whom he shared with ex-wife Faye Maltese.

Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their homes on February 26 at ages 95 and 65, respectively. After news broke of the couple’s passing, Hackman’s daughters and granddaughter Annie released a statement.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” the trio shared in a statement to Us Weekly. “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”

What to Know About Gene Hackman, Wife Betsy’s Deaths

The following month, Hackman and Arakawa’s cause of death was revealed. Hackman died of due to hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor. Arakawa’s cause of death was due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The condition is usually caused by inhaling hantaviruses that have become airborne from rodent urine, droppings or saliva, per the Mayo Clinic.

Officials said in a press conference that Arakawa likely died before Hackman, around February 12, while the Oscar winner died around February 18.

Last month, Us confirmed that Hackman and Arakawa’s remains were unclaimed. The pair’s names were included on the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico’s unclaimed decedents list. If a name is on the list, the next of kin are encouraged to contact the office and speak with one of the investigators about the next steps in the release process, including how to obtain the death certificate and potential funeral assistance.

Gene Hackman's Friend Says Actor Would've Died ‘Long Ago’ Without His Wife

On Monday, April 14, multiple outlets reported that the New Mexico Department of Health conducted a risk assessment on the couple’s property in early March, one week after their bodies were discovered. According to the reports, dead rodents and rodent nests were found within eight detached outbuildings on Hackman and Arakawa’s estate. Rodents and feces were found in three garages, while feces were also found in two casitas and three sheds.

The Department of Health staff said the risk of exposure to hantavirus in the couple’s primary residence, which was considered clean, was low, per CNN.