Gene Hackman’s Wife Betsy Arakawa Died One Week Before Him

While Arakawa was active on email in prior days, “numerous” messages were left unopened on her computer on the night of Feb. 11, according to Mendoza. He said there was no additional outgoing email communication from Arakawa after that night, leading investigators to believe she died at home some time around then.

Hackman’s cause of death has been ruled as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)—or hardening of the arteries—with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor, according to authorities.

During the press conference, medical investigator Heather Jarrell noted that the 95-year-old was in an “advanced state” of Alzheimer’s—a neurodegenerative brain disorder—and it was “quite possible that he was not aware” Arakawa had died.

“He was in a very poor state of health,” Jarrell said. “He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that is what resulted in his in his death.”

And though there was no food in Hackman’s stomach at the time of his death, Jarrell said she “did not see evidence of dehydration.”

Authorities believe Hackman died around Feb. 18 due to the readings on his pacemaker.

According to a Feb. 26 search warrant affidavit obtained by E! News, Hackman was found dead in a mudroom. A deputy noted he believes the Birdcage actor may have suddenly fallen. Arakawa was found on the floor of a bathroom with a bottle of prescription pills on the counter and scattered on the surface, and a space heater near her head.

Both bodies showed mummification and Arakawa’s showed signs of “body decomposition,” according to the affidavit. 

The sheriff also confirmed at a Feb. 28 press conference, “At the time of death, they were negative for carbon monoxide, which means to me that is possibly ruled out” as a cause of death. 

Amid the investigation, Morgan Freeman—who costarred alongside Hackman in Unforgiven and Under Suspicion—honored his contributions to the film industry at the 2025 Oscars, describing him as “a generous performer.”

“Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work,’” Freeman said during the March 2 ceremony. “So I think I speak for us all when I say, Gene, you will be remembered for that and for so much more. Rest in peace, my friend.”

Keep reading to look back on Hackman’s life…