Gene Hackman and his wife died one week apart from natural causes | BBC News

Duration: 2:56

Actor Gene Hackman died of natural causes about a week after his wife Betsy Arakawa, who died after contracting a rare virus, says a New Mexico medical investigator. The Oscar-winning actor, 95, died from coronary artery disease, with advanced Alzheimer's disease a contributing factor. Ms Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare but serious respiratory illness caused by exposure to infected rodents. Authorities believe she passed away about seven days before her husband. Her cause of death was listed as natural. It is likely that Ms Arakawa died first on 11 February, Dr Heather Jarrell of the New Mexico Medical Investigator's Office told a news conference on Friday. She said it was "reasonable to conclude" that Hackman died on 18 February. Given that Hackman was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease it is "quite possible" he was unaware that his wife died, said Dr Jarrell. HPS is transmitted through contact with rodent droppings, urine or saliva, often when contaminated dust is inhaled. While rare, the disease can be severe, leading to respiratory failure in some cases. Investigators are trying to determine how Ms Arakawa contracted the virus. The couple, who had been married for more than 30 years, were found in their Santa Fe home after neighbourhood security conducted a welfare check and saw their bodies on the ground through the window. Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Emma Vardy in Los Angeles. Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1rbfUog For more news, analysis and features visit: www.bbc.com/news #BBCNews