Gene Hackman’s dogs showcased a final act of love after their owners were found dead at their home.
The actor, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, died a week apart, after their bodies were found in their Santa Fe property on 26 February.
Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome on 11 February, while Hackman passed away on 18 February from ‘hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor’.
Their dog, Zinna, also died as the couple’s two living dogs Bear and Nikita were running and barking when the Santa Fe Fire Department arrived at the scene days later.
Fire Chief Brian Moya told USA Today that Bear and Nikita sadly took them to the bodies of their deceased owners.
“They realised (the dog) was trying to say, ‘Hey, come over here! Come over here!’” Moya explained.
The first responders then followed one of the dogs to a mudroom where Hackman’s body was found.
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead, along with one of their dogs, in their Santa Fe property on 26 February (Facebook)
Once the backdoor was open, the dogs then went in and out of the home after Arakawa was located in the bathroom, near the front door.
Dr Heather Jarrell, a chief medical examiner for New Mexico, previously said at a press conference in Santa Fe that ‘Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease. He was in a very poor state of health’.
It’s thought that the actor would have been at home for seven days without knowing his wife had died.
“He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that is what resulted in his in his death,” she added.
“Mr Hackman’s initial pacemaker data revealed cardiac activity on 17 February, with subsequent pacemaker interrogation demonstrating an abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation on 18 February, which was the last record of heart activity.
The pair had been married since 1991 (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
“Based on this information, it is reasonable to conclude that Mr Hackman probably died around 18 February.
“Based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that Ms Hackman passed away first with 11 February being the last time that she was known to be alive.
“Lastly, clinically, hantavirus infection is characterised by flu-like symptoms consisting of fever, muscle aches, cough, and sometimes vomiting that can progress to shortness of breath and cardiac or heart failure and lung failure.”
Santa Fe County Adan Mendoza said Arakawa picked up Zinna from the veterinary hospital on 9 February.
CCTV footage showed the classical pianist in her car at around 4.54pm on 11 February.
