Rewritten Title:
"Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy’s Final Amazon Order Disclosed Before Deaths as Details of Her Last Hours Surface"

Key Adjustments:

• Removed sensational terms like "chilling" and "tragic."
• Replaced quoted "revealed" with neutral "disclosed."
• Simplified "just days before their tragic deaths" to "before deaths."
• Rephrased "emerged" to "surface" for conciseness.
• Maintained clarity on both deaths and the timeline of events.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Final Days: A Tragic Sequence

[Image: Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa in 2024]
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa in their final years.

In the days before their deaths, Betsy Arakawa, 65, wife of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, made a desperate Amazon order for oxygen canisters—a haunting clue to the couple’s deteriorating health. The pair, found deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26, succumbed to separate illnesses, with Arakawa dying from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and Hackman from heart disease and Alzheimer’s complications.

A Desperate Search for Answers
Arakawa, Hackman’s primary caregiver, had been researching flu-like symptoms and COVID-19 in early February, according to her computer history. Her searches included queries about dizziness, nosebleeds, and local healthcare providers. On February 11, she ordered respiratory support equipment from Amazon, likely to aid breathing struggles. Surveillance footage from that day showed her calmly shopping at a grocery store and pet food shop, masking signs of distress. Hours later, she emailed her masseuse about Hackman’s flu-like symptoms, though he tested negative for COVID.

[Image: Amazon order receipt for oxygen canisters]
Arakawa’s final Amazon order for oxygen supplies.

A Grim Discovery
The couple’s bodies were discovered weeks later by maintenance workers. Hackman, severely debilitated by Alzheimer’s, may not have realized his wife had passed. Investigators confirmed Arakawa’s death resulted from hantavirus, a rare rodent-borne disease. Their $4 million home, cluttered with decades of belongings, was deemed a breeding ground for disease-carrying rodents.

A Dog’s Tragic Fate
The tragedy extended to their pets. A kelpie mix named Zinna, trapped in a crate after a vet visit, died of starvation and dehydration. Two other dogs, Bear and Nikita, were found alive and later rehomed. Bodycam footage revealed one dog lingering near Arakawa’s body, underscoring the home’s heartbreaking state.

[Image: Cluttered interior of Hackman’s home]
The couple’s home, filled with clutter and debris.

Love Amidst Chaos
Authorities released poignant handwritten notes exchanged by the couple, reflecting their enduring bond. Despite the squalor, photos of their dogs and personal mementos highlighted moments of warmth. However, the home’s disarray—piles of clothes, medication, and garbage—raised questions about Arakawa’s ability to manage Hackman’s care alone.

Legacy and Questions
While Hackman’s illustrious career included iconic roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven, his final years were marked by seclusion. The released records, initially sealed for privacy, paint a somber picture of their isolated lives. Health officials linked Arakawa’s death directly to the home’s infestation, a stark reminder of the virus’s dangers.

The couple’s story—a blend of love, illness, and tragedy—leaves a lingering reflection on the fragility of life, even for Hollywood legends.

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