Gene Hackman, wife Betsy Arakawa's causes of death revealed

The separate causes of the deaths of famous actor Gene Hackman and his wife have been revealed along with a horrifying twist in the tragic story.

While Hackman died of advanced Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease, reports show that his wife, Betsy Arakawa, died an entire week prior of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, as Fox reports.

Hackman, therefore, lived with his wife’s dead body for over an entire week before passing away himself.

When their bodies were both discovered, their remains had been partially mummified.

The couple's dog, Zinna, who also perished, had recently undergone a medical procedure and could be the reason the pet was kenneled while their other dogs were not.

Dr. Heather Jarrell, the chief medical investigator on the case, said that both Hackman and Arakawa's deaths had been ruled “natural.”

Jarrell also speculated that Hackman’s Alzheimer’s disease had become so advanced that it was very likely he was not aware his wife had died.

“He was in an advanced state of Alzheimer's, and it's quite possible that he was not aware that she was deceased,” Jarrell reported.

Hackman’s wife, Arakawa, is said to have died on Feb. 11 due to the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome infection she developed.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a rare but deadly viral infection spread by rats. “This is a serious disease. 42% of these infections here in New Mexico were fatal,” Jarrell said.

Symptoms are initially flu-like but can be fatal if left untreated.

Reports indicated that rodent droppings had been discovered in a garage and outbuildings on the property.

Hackman passed away around Feb. 18, almost seven days after his wife.

The couple had been married for over three decades before they both passed away under such sad circumstances.

While no one should have to experience such a sad ending, Hackman and Arakawa lived fulfilling lives of which anyone could be proud.

There have been so many twists and turns in this story that it's hard for fans to know what's real and what's not, which has been especially hard considering the worldwide admiration of Hackman's talent.

Hackman has long been considered one of the greatest actors in history with an interesting career arc that saw him step away from movie acting over twenty years before his death.

While quitting work in your seventies doesn't exactly represent an early retirement, there's no doubt that Hackman left a LOT of money on the table considering how revered he was.

We pray for anyone grieving the loss of Hackman and Arakawa during this tragic time.