Gene Hackman's wife researched symptoms of illness in days before her death, records show

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Authorities on Tuesday released a lengthy investigation report detailing some of the last emails and internet searches done by Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa in the days before her death, indicating that she was scouring the internet for information on flu-like symptoms and breathing techniques.

Arakawa died in February of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — a rare, rodent-borne disease that can lead to a range of symptoms that include flu-like illness, headaches, dizziness and severe respiratory distress, investigators have said. 

Gene Hackman is believed to have died about a week later of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

Gene Hackman’s wife researched COVID symptoms before death

Dig deeper:

According to the report released Tuesday, a review of the open bookmarks on Arakawa's computer Feb. 8 and the morning of Feb. 12 indicated that she was actively researching medical conditions related to COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms. The searches included questions about whether COVID could cause dizziness or nosebleeds.

She also had mentioned in an email to her masseuse that Hackman had woken up Feb. 11 with flu or cold-like symptoms but that a COVID test was negative and she would have to reschedule her appointment for the next day "out of an abundance of caution."

Arakawa's last search was the morning of Feb. 12 for a health care provider in Santa Fe.

Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa during the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards. (Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)

Investigators also reviewed a call history to the Hackmans' home phone along with voicemails and security footage from stores that Arakawa had visited on Feb. 11. The written report describes them going through rooms of the home and finding nothing out of the ordinary and no signs of forced entry.

The backstory:

The materials were being released as the result of a recent court order that mandated any depictions of the deceased couple would have to be blocked from view. All photos, video and documents from the investigation had been restricted from release by an earlier, temporary court order.

The Hackman estate and family members had sought to keep the records sealed to protect the family’s constitutional right to privacy.

RELATED: Gene Hackman and wife Betsy's death investigation bodycam footage released: report

A report obtained from the New Mexico Department of Health showed an environmental assessment of the Hackman property found rodent feces in several outbuildings but not inside the living quarters. A live rodent, dead rodent and a rodent nest were found in three detached garages.

The partially mummified remains of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found in their Santa Fe home, when maintenance and security workers showed up at the home and alerted police.

Gene Hackman, wife found dead in Santa Fe home

"On February 26, 2025, at approximately 1:45 p.m., Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased," a statement said.

Hackman was found in a mudroom while Arakawa was found in a bathroom next to a space heater, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office detectives wrote in a search warrant. There was an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on a countertop near Arakawa.

What's next:

Authorities also are expected to release more redacted police body camera footage from inside the home as sheriff's deputies and investigators try to piece together what had happened to the couple.