Betsy Arakawa’s final autopsy report revealed that her lungs were affected due to hantavirus syndrome.
According to the report, which was obtained by the Associated Press on Tuesday, April 29, Arakawa’s lungs were heavy and congested, due to significant fluid accumulation in her chest. The vessels that supplied blood to her heart and body also had a mild hardening.
The report confirmed that Arakawa’s cause of death was due to hantavirus, which is spread by infected rodent droppings.
Arakawa’s autopsy stated that she tested negative for COVID-19 and the flu while showing signs of trauma, per the outlet. The artist’s carbon monoxide levels were within normal range. She tested positive for caffeine and negative for alcohol and drugs.
Arakawa and her husband, famed actor Gene Hackman, died in February at ages 64 and 95, respectively. Us Weekly confirmed at the time that the couple were found dead inside their shared Santa Fe, New Mexico, house on February 26.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and granddaughter Annie said in a statement to Us at the time. “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.”
During a March press conference, Arakawa and Hackman’s preliminary causes of death were revealed. Arakawa’s death was ruled natural and due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Officials believe she died on February 11.
Hackman died due to hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor. Authorities believed that the Oscar winner died a week after his wife, on February 18.
On Sunday, April 27, Hackman’s final autopsy revealed that the actor died with “trace amounts” of acetone in his system, per Fox News. The report detailed that acetone is also “a product of diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis as well as a metabolite following isopropanol ingestion.” (Acetone is best known for being a colorless solvent found in nail polish and paint remover.)
The autopsy’s toxicology test showed that Hackman had acetone levels “at 5.3 mg/dl, while normal endogenous acetone levels in blood are up to 0.3 mg/d,” per the outlet. Fox News noted that this level is consistent “with a prolonged level of fasting.”
In addition to the amount of acetone in his body, the autopsy stated that Hackman had a “history of congestive heart failure” and “severe chronic hypertensive changes, kidneys.” He received a “bi-ventricular” pacemaker in April 2019. Hackman also had “neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer’s Disease.”
Hackman and Arakawa were reportedly laid to rest during a private memorial service in New Mexico earlier this month.
