Autopsy confirms Gene Hackman died from heart disease, notes his Alzheimer’s and prolonged fasting

SANTA FE N M AP The main cause of Gene Hackman s death was heart condition but he was also in the advanced stages of Alzheimer s malady and likely had not eaten for a long time according to a new autopsy document The assessment documents the -year-old actor s poor heart strength noting he had experienced congestive heart failure an aortic valve replacement and an irregular heart beat He was given a pacemaker in April Hackman s carbon monoxide concentration was less than saturation which is within the normal range He tested negative for the hantavirus which is a rare but potentially fatal syndrome spread by infected rodent droppings Functionaries have revealed Hackman s wife Betsy Arakawa likely died Feb at home from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome Her autopsy review hasn t yet been disclosed A toxicology summary says Hackman tested negative for alcohol and intoxicating drugs but that he had a low concentration of acetone in his system that indicates prolonged fasting Hackman appeared to have outlived Arakawa at home by about a week possibly unaware of his wife s death Hackman s pacemaker evidenced an abnormal heart rhythm on Feb the day he likely died according to the state s chief medicinal examiner Records circulated earlier in the study displayed Arakawa made phone calls and internet searches as she scoured for information on flu-like manifestations and breathing techniques In recent weeks disclosed videos outline the scope of the assessment into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa Before they understood how Hackman and Arakawa died administration recorded themselves conducting interviews with workers and returning to Hackman s home to search for more evidence Detectives searched the home in early March for Arakawa s laptop and other clues