Gene Hackman's final autopsy reveals actor's official cause of death

Gene Hackman's cause of death has been confirmed, two months after the Hollywood actor was found dead alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, at their mansion in Santa Fe.

Gene Hackman's official cause of death has been disclosed, coming to light two months after his death. The acclaimed actor passed away at 95-years-old in his Santa Fe, New Mexico mansion and was discovered on February 26 beside his wife Betsy Arakawa, who was only 65.

A caretaker at the residence raised the alarm on that day, having noticed a woman lying on the ground through a window. It was determined that Betsy had expired about a week prior to her husband, who might have been oblivious to her passing due to advanced Alzheimer's disease.

Official records confirm: "Autopsy showed severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with placement of coronary artery stents and a bypass graft, as well as a previous aortic valve replacement." The report further stated: "Remote myocardial infarctions were present involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum, which were significantly large. Examination of the brain showed microscopic findings of advanced stage Alzheimer's disease," according to Fox News.

The medical examiner pointed out that Gene had suffered from "history of congestive heart failure" in his history and had a "bi-ventricular pacemaker" inserted in April 2019, the Mirror reports.

Additionally, it was noted that he exhibited acetone levels at 5.3 mg/dl, whereas standard figures typically peak at 0.3 mg/dL.

The toxicology report indicated that acetone is "also a product of diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis as well as a metabolite following isopropanol ingestion," leading to the conclusion that Gene's elevated levels might have been indicative of prolonged fasting.

Further investigations also established that carbon monoxide levels were within normal limits, dispelling the initial fears of Gene's family who suspected a gas leak might have caused his and Betsy's untimely deaths.

In addition to dismissing carbon monoxide poisoning, the medical examiner clarified that Gene did not succumb to the same disease that claimed his wife; hantavirus.

It had been previously determined that Betsy passed away from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, an uncommon illness transmitted through rodent excrement and urine.

Gene and Betsy resided in a self-designed abode in Santa Fe, and it is believed that the condition of their home may have sadly contributed to Betsy's premature demise.

A week subsequent to the finding of Gene and Betsy's remains, the New Mexico Department of Public Health conducted a thorough examination of the residence and discovered its alarming state.

The once Architectural Digest-featured mansion was overrun with rodents and clutter, with an individual who entered the property recounting it as a "mess."

Gene Hackman leaves behind his three children, son Christopher and daughters Leslie and Elizabeth who he shared with his first wife, Faye Maltese.

He also leaves behind his eye watering £40m estate but it seems that none of his kids will inherit his fortune as he had left everything to his wife Betsy in his will, with his children being excluded from it.

Should Gene and Besty both pass away within 90 days of one another, the plan was for all of the actor's assets to go to charity.

However, reports from the US indicate that Hackman's son has taken on a preeminent lawyer with a focus on inheritances, suggesting the current situation may come under dispute.