Betsy Arakawa died from a rare rodent spread virus (
Image: AP)

Classical pianist Betsy Arakawa died a week before her screen icon husband Gene Hackman, whose advanced Alzheimer’s meant he wouldn’t have been able to help her as she lay on the floor of their bathroom, and may not have realised she’d passed away

In a sad new development, it’s now understood that Hollywood legend Gene Hackman lived for another week after the death of his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

The 95-year-old, who had lived with advanced Alzheimer’s Disease, may well have been too confused and disorientated in those last days to realise that Betsy was lying lifeless in their bathroom, unable to care for him in that dedicated way she had in his final, reclusive years.

Dr Heather Jarrell, who performed autopsies on the pair, confirmed on Friday (March 7) that classical pianist Betsy, 65, died from hantavirus, pulmonary syndrome, likely on February 11 – the last time she was seen alive. According to the US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, hantaviruses are a group of viruses spread by rodents, with the potential to cause serious illness and even death in humans.

It was also revealed that Gene had passed away from “hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor”, with his pacemaker data recording his last heartbeats on February 18. The couple’s bodies were found at their Santa Fe home on February 26, alongside the body of one of their beloved dogs Zinna.

There is no evidence that Gene attempted to contact anybody after his wife’s death, and it’s believed he may not have even realised she’d passed on, given the severity of his condition.

People notice heartbreaking detail surrounding death of actor Gene Hackman and wife

It’s believed Betsy died on February 11
As reported by The New York Times, surveillance footage captures Betsy’s final movements around town on February 11, but it’s unclear whether she was at that stage exhibiting symptoms of her grave illness. Dr James Lawler, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Centre, told the publication: “Most people seek care before they end up at a point where they need the ICU”.

Symptoms of hantaviruses usually show up within one to eight weeks of exposure to infected rodents. Signs include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headache, dizziness, chills, and abdominal or digestive issues. Within four to 10 days of these early symptoms, patients may suffer shortness of breath, chest tightness, and fluid in the lungs.

On that last day, potentially mere hours before her death, Betsy emailed her massage therapist before heading out to a grocery store in the afternoon. CCTV footage also shows Betsy visiting a pharmacy while wearing a face mask, which she would do to avoid spreading any harmful germs to vulnerable Gene.

After making a stop at a local pet food store, Betsy returned to her local area at around 5.15pm. This was the last day Betsy responded to any of her emails, leading cops to pinpoint this as the approximate time of her passing. At some unknown point after getting home, Betsy would have suffered a rapid decline, and headed to the bathroom.

It was here where she was eventually discovered, showing signs of decomposition and mummification, with thyroid medication pills scattered all around

It’s understood that hantaviruses can be spread through the inhaling virus particles from rodent saliva, urine, or feces. It may also be transmitted through rodent bites, with deer mice being the most common carriers in the US.