Heartbreaking details emerge about Gene Hackman’s final seven days after wife died

Heartbreaking details have emerged about Gene Hackman’s final days after his wife died.

On 26 February, the actor and Betsy Arakawa were both found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. But it was later revealed by investigations that Arakawa likely died around 12 February with Hackman alive for roughly a week after.

Due to his progressed Alzheimer’s disease, it is believed the 99-year-old may not have been aware of his 65-year-old wife’s death. And as well as revealing details around his medical history, a final autopsy has given a further insight into those last days of the Superman actor’s life without Arakawa.

Documents from the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico showed that he had ‘severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease’ as it was determined he died because of cardiovascular disease.

Gene Hackman died in February. (Ron Davis/Getty Images)

Obtained by Fox News Digital, the report suggests that Hackman did not ingest during the week he spent alone after his wife’s death – as authorities had previously suspected.

Trace amounts of acetone were found in the Hollywood legend’s body at 17 times normal levels suggestive of ‘fasting-induced ketoacidosis’.

The medical examiner noted that he had acetone levels at 5.3 mg/dl, with normal levels rising to only 0.3 mg/dl.

Reports suggested that this is ‘also a product of diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis as well as a metabolite following isopropanol ingestion’. Essentially, it was concluded that his levels suggest prolonged fasting.

The documents show that Hackman had a ‘history of congestive heart failure’ in addition to ‘severe chronic hypertensive changes, kidneys’ and his neurodegenerative disorder.

The autopsy adds that it found ‘placement of coronary artery stents and a bypass graft, as well as a previous aortic valve replacement’.

It is suggested Gene Hackman did not eat in his final days. (Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

It continued: “Remote myocardial infarctions were present involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum, which were significantly large. Examination of the brain showed microscopic findings of advanced stage Alzheimer's disease."

Arakawa’s cause of death was determined as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and the documents show that Hackman tested negative for the rat-borne disease.

A previously released investigation detailed some of the pianist’s final internet searches, phone calls, and emails as well as love letters written by Hackman.

It was found that she had been researching information on flu-like symptoms and breathing techniques as well as ordering oxygen canisters from Amazon.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can lead to a range of symptoms including flu-like illness and is typically spread through infected urine, droppings, or saliva of certain species of mice and rats.

It was reported by the New Mexico medical investigator’s office that there were signs of a rodent infestation at Hackman and Arakawa’s estate.