The tragic deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have captured public attention. Hackman, in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and Arakawa, who was his dedicated caregiver, were found dead in their New Mexico home in mid-February. Betsy died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), while Hackman passed away a week later, likely due to heart disease.
Hackman’s daughter, Leslie Anne Allen, spoke about the loss, acknowledging her father’s declining health but expressing shock over Betsy’s sudden death. She praised Betsy’s care for Hackman in his later years. Despite claims of Hackman’s good health, the autopsy revealed significant heart disease and kidney damage.
The deaths, especially HPS’s difficulty in detection, have led to public sympathy and questions about Leslie’s relationship with her father. Despite the tragedy, Hackman and Arakawa’s bond is remembered fondly.
