section_path: Death
section_name: Death
paragraph_text: Death
  
  In the final months of his life, Hackman's neighbors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, noticed that his health appeared to be declining, and he and Arakawa ceased communicating with family and friends. Arakawa – who was Hackman's sole caregiver – was last seen alive at a CVS Pharmacy on February 11, 2025, and returned to their gated community at 5:15 p.m. On February 12, Arakawa called a local private physician and made an appointment for that afternoon, complaining of respiratory issues, but did not show up. Arakawa died in their home a short time later from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Hackman did not seek help; authorities believe he was unable to comprehend her death due to Alzheimer's disease. Hackman died in the home around February 18, at which point his pacemaker recorded an abnormal rhythm. He died from severe heart disease, complicated by advanced Alzheimer's disease and kidney disease. Hackman was 95.
  
  On February 26, the bodies of Hackman, Arakawa, and one of their dogs, named Zinna, were found. The other two of the couple's dogs were found alive in the home. The discovery was made after maintenance workers, concerned that the couple had not answered the door, called security for help. Security personnel saw the bodies through a window and alerted authorities. Although foul play was not suspected, the deaths were deemed suspicious enough to warrant an investigation. Carbon monoxide poisoning was ruled out on February 28. The causes of death were announced at a press conference on March 7.
  
  Gene Hackman's estate requested the courts block images and videos related to the investigation, such as police body camera footage. Arakawa's will stated that if they were to die within 90 days of each other, the proceeds would go to charity; Hackman's will, created in 1995, listed Arakawa as his sole inheritor.
  
  In the final months of his life, Hackman's neighbors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, noticed that his health appeared to be declining, and he and Arakawa ceased communicating with family and friends. Arakawa – who was Hackman's sole caregiver – was last seen alive at a CVS Pharmacy on February 11, 2025, and returned to their gated community at 5:15 p.m. On February 12, Arakawa called a local private physician and made an appointment for that afternoon, complaining of respiratory issues, but did not show up. Arakawa died in their home a short time later from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Hackman did not seek help; authorities believe he was unable to comprehend her death due to Alzheimer's disease. Hackman died in the home around February 18, at which point his pacemaker recorded an abnormal rhythm. He died from severe heart disease, complicated by advanced Alzheimer's disease and kidney disease. Hackman was 95.
  
  On February 26, the bodies of Hackman, Arakawa, and one of their dogs, named Zinna, were found. The other two of the couple's dogs were found alive in the home. The discovery was made after maintenance workers, concerned that the couple had not answered the door, called security for help. Security personnel saw the bodies through a window and alerted authorities. Although foul play was not suspected, the deaths were deemed suspicious enough to warrant an investigation. Carbon monoxide poisoning was ruled out on February 28. The causes of death were announced at a press conference on March 7.
  
  Gene Hackman's estate requested the courts block images and videos related to the investigation, such as police body camera footage. Arakawa's will stated that if they were to die within 90 days of each other, the proceeds would go to charity; Hackman's will, created in 1995, listed Arakawa as his sole inheritor.