Gene Hackman’s Wife Betsy Is the Reason the Actor Didn’t Die ‘Long Ago,’ Close Friend Says

Gene Hackman would have likely died “long ago” without the help and support of his loving wife, Betsy Arakawa, a close friend of the actor has said.

While speaking to the New York Times, Tom Allin, who had been friends with Hackman for around 20 years, insisted The French Connection star “seemed happy” to have his wife “run things” and take care of him.

“She was very protective of him,” Allin told the outlet, adding that Hackman had said he probably would have died “long ago” without the care of his beloved wife, who looked after him and made sure he had a healthy diet.

Allin said Arakawa would serve as “something of a gatekeeper” for her husband, and would often set up golf games or meetings for the two friends.

“She just really looked after him,” Allin shared, remembering the time Arakawa had mixed soda water in with Hackman’s wine during his 90th birthday celebrations in Islamorada, Fla. in January 2020.

Hackman, 95, and his classical pianist wife, 65 — who opted to live a quiet life in New Mexico away from the spotlight — were found deceased at their property in Santa Fe Summit on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

Heather Jarrell, New Mexico’s chief medical examiner, confirmed to reporters on Friday, March 7 that Arakawa had died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is caused by hantavirus. Hantavirus is transmitted to humans via rodent urine, saliva and droppings. Her last outward communication, via email, appeared to occur on Feb. 11, said Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza.

Hantavirus cases are relatively rare, but are fatal in up to 42% of cases in New Mexico, said Erin Phipps, a veterinarian with the New Mexico Health Department. Phipps added that there had been less than 10 cases of hantavirus in the state in the last five years.

Hackman died from a combination of severe heart disease, high blood pressure and advanced Alzheimer’s disease, and was likely alone in the home with his dead wife for days, authorities said.

The last activity on Hackman’s pacemaker was registered on Feb. 17. Jarrell said it was “reasonable to conclude” that Hackman, who had no food in his stomach at the time of his death, died the following day. However, the iconic actor showed no signs of dehydration.

“It is reasonable to conclude that Ms. Hackman passed first,” the chief medical examiner told reporters.

On Feb. 26, authorities had responded after a pest control worker called a neighborhood security officer when he stopped by the couple’s home, and they didn’t answer. The officer called 911 when he saw the bodies through a window.

Hackman was found in a mudroom of the house, while Arakawa was found collapsed in a bathroom near a space heater and scattered pills, according to a search warrant affidavit reviewed by PEOPLE.

The couple’s dog, Zinna, was found dead, crated in a closet, a few feet away from Arakawa. Two other dogs were found alive on the sprawling property. A necropsy is being conducted to determine Zinna’s cause of death.

Hackman, considered one of the finest actors of his generation, met Arakawa when she was working part-time at a gym in Los Angeles and pursuing a career in classical music, per the New York Times. By 1990, they shared a home in Santa Fe and wed the following year.