We still get goosebumps from the unexplained deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
The story gets even more eerie when startling new information comes to light.
Those closest to them remain hidden from the public light, left to grieve a catastrophe that no one anticipated, while the media frantically seeks answers and investigators delve further into the case.
The youngest of the three children of the late Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, Leslie Anne Allen, was seen in public for the first time since the devastating and tragic news of her father’s and stepmother’s deaths broke.
On March 9, a few days after officials revealed the heartbreaking autopsy results surrounding the couple’s premature deaths, the 58-year-old was spotted in Los Angeles running errands.
From his first marriage to Faye Maltese, Gene left behind three adult children: daughters Leslie Anne and Elizabeth Jean, and son Christopher Allen.
Leslie’s actions around her father’s death are being questioned by many, despite the fact that one would believe she would be allowed to grieve in peace.
A terrible loss
In mid-February, 95-year-old Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered dead in their New Mexico home.
Many first hypothesized that the reason might have been a carbon monoxide leak. For example, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, 63, one of Gene Hackman’s other daughters, told TMZ that the family believed the fatalities may have been caused by hazardous vapors, such as carbon monoxide poisoning.
But in the autopsy report published by New Mexico’s Chief Medical Investigator, Dr. Heather Jarrel, the truth was revealed. It was discovered that Betsy had passed away initially from an uncommon but fatal infection called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which is spread by rodent excrement or urine.
Despite having advanced Alzheimer’s, Gene Hackman passed away from heart disease a week later, apparently oblivious to his wife’s death.
The unsettling finding
The investigation states that before to her death, Betsy Arakawa exhibited flu-like symptoms, such as fever, dizziness, and exhaustion.
The bottle was discovered near to her body after she tragically passed out while attempting to take her medication. The other two of their three dogs were safely rescued, but Zinna, a German Shepherd, was also discovered dead in the same room.
After living for a week without realizing his wife’s death, Gene Hackman, who had been in comparatively excellent health despite having Alzheimer’s, passed away on February 18. Authorities suspect that his own degeneration may have been influenced by the emotional toll of Betsy’s passing.
Leslie Anne Allen raises her voice
Following the tragic events, Leslie Anne Allen addressed the media, expressing her sorrow and revealing how she had prepared for her father’s death because of his elderly age.
Leslie remarked that it wasn’t really startling. She also talked positively of her father’s final years, saying he had maintained a healthy lifestyle that included frequent exercise, such as yoga and Pilates, and a balanced diet.
Additionally, Leslie commended her father’s bond with Betsy, stating,
His wife, Betsy, deserves praise for keeping him alive. She was constantly concerned about his health and gave him incredibly exceptional care. I am deeply sorry by her departure and grateful to her for it.
Leslie stated in an interview with MailOnline that there was “no indication” that Gene was ill before to his death.
“Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition,” she continued, adding that he had not recently undergone any significant surgery.
However, specialists concluded that Allen’s evaluation of Hackman’s health was far from correct after a thorough inquiry into the deaths of both Hackman and Arakawa.
Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell disclosed that Hackman was “in a very poor state of health,” in contrast to Allen’s assertion that the former actor was “in good health.”
According to Jarrell, Mr. Hackman displayed signs of advanced Alzheimer’s disease. His health was in extremely bad shape. I believe that his death was eventually caused by his severe heart illness.
Allen hadn’t spoken to her father in months, but it seems that his health problems weren’t brand-new.
According to Jarrell’s autopsy, Hackman had “severe heart disease, including multiple heart surgery procedures, evidence of prior heart attacks, and severe kidney changes due to chronic high blood pressure.”
Leslie acknowledged that the death of Betsy and their dog caught her off guard, even though she had prepared for the loss of her father. The medical examiner verified that Hantavirus, which is notoriously hard to identify because of its flu-like symptoms, was the cause of Arakawa’s death.
The deadly and enigmatic hantavirus
The symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which is spread by rat urine and droppings, are frequently confused with those of the flu. “Detection is the most challenging aspect of hantavirus,” said Patricio Ros, a doctor who specializes in infectious disorders.
He told BoredPanda, “Early symptoms are very similar to diseases like influenza.”
There is no known cure for the virus, which is lethal in about 38% of cases. To lower the danger of exposure, health professionals advise adopting suitable cleaning techniques and taking proactive steps to prevent mouse interaction in households.
A grieving family
Public opinion has been split as Leslie Anne Allen considers the deaths of her father and stepmother. While many have sent thoughts and condolences, others have questioned why Leslie didn’t call her father sooner.
Some opponents have remarked, “Check on him,” questioning whether more frequent visits or checks may have prevented the catastrophe.
The immense emotion of grief over the passing of one of Hollywood’s most adored performers and his wife endures in spite of these criticisms.
Allen stressed that she was still “close” to her father and that “everything was good,” even though she admitted that she hadn’t seen or spoken to Hackman or Arakawa “for a couple of months” because they lived hundreds of miles away in California.
“We were near. Even though I hadn’t spoken to them in a few months, she claimed that everything was fine and normal.
During this trying time, Leslie and her family are in our prayers and thoughts. The heartbreaking tale of Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman serves as a reminder of how swiftly life can change and how crucial it is to treasure the time spent with those we love.
