On Sunday, April 27, Fox News reported that the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico had released the complete autopsy report for Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman, shedding new light on the tragic circumstances surrounding his final days.
According to the autopsy, Hackman, best known for his roles in Superman and The French Connection, had endured a period of extended starvation before his death in February 2025. Toxicology results revealed traces of acetone in his system, with levels recorded at 5.3 mg/dL, consistent with the effects of prolonged fasting.
The report further explained that acetone can be a “product of diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis as well as a metabolite following isopropanol ingestion.”
Serious health issues detailed in the report
The medical examiner’s findings paint a deeply concerning picture of Hackman’s health in his final months. The autopsy revealed that the actor had a “history of congestive heart failure” and “severe chronic hypertensive changes” in his kidneys.
Additionally, the report cited “severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease,” noting the presence of coronary artery stents, a bypass graft, and a previous aortic valve replacement.
“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 official document stated.
Perhaps most heartbreakingly, the examination of Hackman’s brain revealed microscopic evidence of “advanced stage Alzheimer’s disease.” The report added, “Remote myocardial infarctions were present involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum, which were significantly large.”
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Tragic double loss at Hackman’s New Mexico home
The sorrow surrounding Gene Hackman’s passing was compounded by the loss of his wife, Betsy Arakawa, just days earlier. On February 26, 2025, at approximately 1:45 p.m., a welfare check at their residence in New Mexico led authorities to a grim discovery: both Hackman and Arakawa were found deceased, alongside their beloved dogs.
While Hackman ultimately died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor, Arakawa’s death was attributed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare but often fatal viral infection transmitted by rodents.
The double tragedy has left Hollywood mourning the loss of one of its finest actors and his longtime companion, closing a deeply poignant chapter in American cinematic history.