Actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa died of natural causes one week apart...
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman died of natural causes about a week after his wife Betsy Arakawa, who died after contracting a rare virus, a New Mexico medical investigator has said.
Hackman, 95, died at his Santa Fe home from coronary artery disease, with advanced Alzheimer's disease a contributing factor.
Ms Arakawa, 65, died in the same house from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a respiratory illness caused by exposure to infected rodents. Her cause of death was listed as natural.
Authorities believe she passed away about seven days before her husband, to whom she had been married for more than 30 years. During his career, Hackman won two Academy Awards for The French Connection and Unforgiven.
It is likely that Ms Arakawa died first on 11 February, Dr Heather Jarrell of the New Mexico Medical Investigator's Office told a news conference on Friday.
She said it was "reasonable to conclude" that Hackman had died on 18 February.
Ms Arakawa's last known movements and correspondence were on 11 February, when she was seen going to a grocery store, a CVS pharmacy and a pet store, before returning home in the early evening.
Given that Hackman was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease it is "quite possible that he was not aware that she [his wife] was deceased", said Dr Jarrell.
She told reporters she was "not aware of his normal daily functioning capability".
Hackman had "significant heart disease, and ultimately that's what resulted in his death", Dr Jarrell said, adding that he had had chronic high blood pressure.
He had not eaten anything recently, but had shown no indications of dehydration, she added.
At the news conference, New Mexico Public Health Veterinarian Erin Phipps emphasised that hantavirus infections were extremely rare.
HPS is transmitted through contact with rodent droppings, urine or saliva, often when contaminated dust is inhaled.
She noted that 136 cases had been reported in the state over the past 50 years, with 42% resulting in fatalities.
Dr Phipps said evidence of rodent activity had been found in some buildings on the property, though the risk inside the main house was considered "low".
Investigators are trying to determine how Ms Arakawa contracted the illness. Hackman tested negative for hantavirus.
The couple were found in their home after neighbourhood security conducted a welfare check and saw their bodies on the ground through the window.
Samantha Granville
BBC News, Los Angeles
The 95-year-old actor's Alzheimer's means it is "quite possible" he was unaware of his wife's death, say officials.
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