The final autopsy for actor Gene Hackman has been released by the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico, confirming that signs point to heart failure as the likely cause of death.
Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found partially mummified in separate rooms of their New Mexico home on February 26. Zinna, their dog, was also found dead at the home nearby.
Dr. Heather Jarrell, the chief medical examiner for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, confirmed their causes of death in a press conference last month.
Arakawa died on February 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a potentially deadly virus that is spread by rodents. Hackman died a week later from “heart disease with advanced Alzheimer’s a significant contributory factor.”
The medical investigator has published the final report, which confirms heart failure as the cause of death for Hackman, detailing further evidence to support this finding.
The report said that Hackman had a “history of congestive heart failure” and “severe chronic hypertensive changes” to his kidneys, according to Fox News.
“Autopsy showed severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with placement of coronary artery stents and a bypass graft, as well as a