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Legendary actor Gene Hackman lived next to the body of Betsy Hackman in their New Mexico home.
Gene Hackman poses during the 60th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
Veteran Hollywood actor Gene Hackman lived next to the dead body of wife Betsy Hackman for a week before he died of a heart disease in their New Mexico home. According to local media outlets from Santa Fe, the medical examiner said that the two-time Academy Award winner survived a week after his wife died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Betsy, a classical pianist, and her husband were found dead during a routine wellness check on February 26 and their bodies were found in separate rooms. Local media outlets citing the city’s medical examiner said that Gene may not have known of Betsy’s passing due to his advanced Alzheimer’s condition.
The 95-year-old passed away due to severe heart disease and Alzheimer’s also played a major role, according to the official report.
Gene Hackman’s post-mortem report showed that he had advanced Alzheimer’s, and officials said he may not have realised that his wife had died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a disease spread by rodents. He lived in their house for at least a week after her death. There was no food in his stomach, but he was not dehydrated when he passed away.
The chief medical examiner at the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator Heather Jarrell said that there is no reliable scientific method to accurately determine the exact time or date of both the deaths.
“Mr. Hackman’s initial pacemaker data revealed cardiac activity on February 17, with subsequent pacemaker interrogation demonstrating an abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation on February 18. Based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that Ms. Hackman passed away first, with February 11 being the last time that she was known to be alive,” the doctor was quoted as saying by the New York Times.
The officials also said that neither showed any signs of external trauma.
- Location :
Santa Fe, New Mexico