For years, Gene Hackman's beloved wife, Betsy Arakawa, did everything she could to help him stay healthy, whether it was wearing a mask herself when out and about or encouraging him to stay in shape by cycling or doing online yoga. Her dedication to his well-being was a testament to their enduring love.

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Authorities are working to piece together a timeline of events, stating that Hackman suffered from Alzheimer's disease and may not have realized he was alone in the days leading up to his death. This detail highlights the tragic circumstances surrounding their passing.

Glimpses into the couple's lives before the tragedy can be gleaned from their last interactions with friends and family. Close friends of the couple said that the last time they saw them, their health seemed good. Their positive outlook on life was evident in their interactions.

Daniel Lenihan, in an interview with CNN's Erin Burnett last week, said, "The last time we saw them, they were alive and well and in good spirits." Lenihan's wife, Barbara, said she saw Arakawa a few weeks ago at a Santa Fe home decor store that the two women co-owned. Their shared business venture reflected their close bond.

“It was very nice to be with them,” Barbara said, adding that Hackman and Arakawa were both proud of each other. “Probably never saw a couple that got along so well and enjoyed each other’s company so much.” Their mutual admiration and companionship were evident to those around them.

Through evidence gathered from their home, authorities pieced together what they now believe happened, answering many questions behind what initially appeared to be a mysterious event. Investigators believe Arakawa died first, which set in motion a series of unfortunate events.

Arakawa’s last known interaction was on February 11. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday that she had a brief email exchange with her massage therapist in the morning before going to Sprouts Farmers Market, CVS Pharmacy, and a pet food store, returning to her gated community at approximately 5:15 p.m. Her routine errands painted a picture of a normal day.

After that, the sheriff said, there were no other known activities or outward communications from her. “On February 11, there were a lot of unopened emails on her computer,” Mendoza said. The lack of subsequent activity raised concerns and prompted further investigation.

New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator’s Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell said Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease contracted from exposure to rodents. Jarrell said scattered pills found on the bathroom floor near Arakawa’s body were prescription thyroid medication and were not related to her death. The focus then shifted to determining the cause of the hantavirus infection.

One of the animal-loving couple’s dogs, Zinna, was found dead in a crate near her body in the bathroom. “Based on those circumstances, there is reason to conclude that Ms. Arakawa passed away first,” Jarrell said. The discovery of the dog's death further supported the theory of Arakawa's prior passing.

What Hackman was like in the days after the death of his wife of more than 30 years has not been fully pieced together, but the end came within days. Jarrell said hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease claimed the life of the legendary actor, likely on February 18, when his pacemaker last recorded his heartbeat. The device recorded that Hackman was experiencing atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm. His underlying health conditions contributed to his demise.

His body was found on February 26 collapsed near the kitchen, next to a cane and a pair of sunglasses. Authorities said he was in “very poor health.” Jarrell said Hackman had “advanced” Alzheimer’s disease, which was “a significant contributing factor” to his death, and that the actor likely “wasn’t aware” his wife had died days earlier. The devastating impact of Alzheimer's on his cognitive abilities was a crucial element in the tragic sequence of events.

Alzheimer’s disease, a brain disorder that results from damage to brain nerve cells, initially manifests as mild memory loss and can lead to an inability to carry out daily activities, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC estimates that the disease affects nearly 7 million Americans and was the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2022. This statistic highlights the widespread impact of Alzheimer's disease on public health.

Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University, told CNN’s Sara Sidner on Friday evening that “as people with Alzheimer’s progress, they become more and more dependent on caregivers.” It is unclear whether Arakawa was his primary caregiver or whether Hackman had other caregivers. Reiner said that if Arakawa was his primary caregiver, “she would be responsible for medicating Mr. Hackman, cleaning him, helping him toilet, and feeding him.” Arakawa’s sudden death, Reiner said, “one can imagine that could have contributed to his demise, and it’s sad.” The loss of a primary caregiver can have a profound impact on individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

Other findings painted a grim picture of Hackman’s final days. Investigators found no indication that Hackman communicated with anyone. They also found no food in his stomach, the medical examiner said, “meaning he had not eaten recently.” His isolation and lack of sustenance further underscore the severity of his condition.

Officials said it’s difficult to tell whether Arakawa was feeling ill in the days before her death. It is possible that Arakawa had been sick for weeks before she died, although Arakawa did not appear to be sick or struggling in surveillance video taken on February 11. The lack of visible signs of illness made it challenging to determine the timeline of events.

“She’s moving around, she’s shopping, she’s visiting stores,” Mendoza said of the surveillance video. “There was nothing indicated to my detectives that she had any issues or mobility issues.” Her seemingly normal activities on that day added to the complexity of the investigation.

New Mexico’s state public veterinarian, Dr. Erin Phipps, said the CDC has been notified of Arakawa’s case of hantavirus. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is not spread from person to person. Symptoms can take up to two months to appear after exposure to infected rodents, typically starting with fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, and potentially progressing to coughing and shortness of breath within days. More than one in three people who develop respiratory symptoms may die from the disease, according to the CDC. The severity and potential fatality of hantavirus highlight the importance of rodent control.

Phipps said health officials searched the couple’s property for signs of rodents. They found low exposure risk inside the house, but they did find rodent access to other buildings on the property. Authorities are also awaiting necropsy results to determine how the couple’s kelpie dog died. Phipps said starvation is a possibility, but officials are still unsure, noting that dogs do not contract hantavirus. Mendoza said Zinna had a surgery on February 9, which could explain why the dog was in a crate. The couple’s other two dogs were alive and had access in and out of the house through an open door, authorities said. The well-being of the animals was also a concern during the investigation.

In an effort to complete the timeline surrounding the high-profile deaths, investigators are still searching Hackman and Arakawa’s cell phones for information that may reveal their locations or other communications before their deaths. “We’re getting very close to a timeline,” Mendoza said at a Friday news conference, noting that the investigation will continue until some “loose ends” are tied up. The search for additional information underscores the thoroughness of the investigation.

“I think a lot of questions have been answered. We’re waiting on the cell phones, but (it’s) highly unlikely (it) will show anything else,” Mendoza said. Forensic investigators said there were no signs of any internal or external trauma to either Hackman or Arakawa. She said both tested negative for COVID-19, the flu, and other common respiratory viruses. She said a postmortem CT scan performed on Hackman “showed significant heart disease, including multiple procedures involving the heart, evidence of prior heart attacks, and significant changes to the kidneys due to chronic hypertension.” The medical findings provided further insight into their health conditions.

Hackman and Arakawa “met while she was working part-time at a fitness center in California,” according to a 1989 New York Times Magazine profile. Hackman, then 59, had already enjoyed 30 years of Hollywood success, while Arakawa was a classical pianist who grew up in Hawaii with a love of music. Their diverse backgrounds and shared interests formed the foundation of their relationship.

They were then living “in a two-bedroom adobe house on a wide expanse of brown plain outside Santa Fe,” the article said. “He paints and sketches, solitary hobbies, and tinkers with tools in one of his two pickup trucks.” Their simple lifestyle reflected their preference for privacy and creative pursuits.

Hackman had already enjoyed 30 years of Hollywood success before meeting Arakawa. Hackman and Arakawa married in 1991. The couple enjoyed watching “DVDs my wife rents; we like simple stories done on a small budget,” he told Empire magazine in 2020. Their shared appreciation for simple pleasures strengthened their bond.

Barbara Lenihan told The New York Times that Arakawa also assisted her husband with his literary pursuits, typing his handwritten books on the computer while also helping to edit and sharing her thoughts on the characters. “She was very involved in what he did. She made it possible for him to do it,” Lenihan said. Arakawa's support played a crucial role in Hackman's creative endeavors.

Lenihan said friends had seen the couple less in recent years because of health concerns following the COVID-19 pandemic. Arakawa took measures such as wearing masks to ensure her husband didn’t get sick. She said that until a year ago, Hackman was still riding his bike, and Arakawa “had him doing yoga and different things at home on Zoom and trying to stay in shape.” Arakawa's dedication to Hackman's health was unwavering.

“Betsy was a great wife. They were very close, and she was a fabulous cook and really, really took good care of him,” Lenihan said. “They ate well. He had triple bypass surgery sometime around (60), and he’s been doing great ever since, and I’m sure she was a factor in that.” Daniel and Barbara Lenihan described the couple as “very easy to be with.” Their close relationship and Arakawa's care contributed to Hackman's well-being.

Barbara Lenihan said that when the Lenihans would visit the couple at their home, Hackman would often ask Arakawa to play classical pieces on the piano, and she was equally supportive of his accomplishments. She said they enjoyed traveling and were well-liked in their community. The couple also loved animals. In 1999, when Hackman was filming "The Replacements" in Baltimore, two stray dogs wandered onto the set. Hackman took them to a shelter, and one was named after him. Hackman and Arakawa later adopted the dog named Gene. Daniel Lenihan said he will remember Hackman as a “funny, humorous, very bright man,” while his wife described Arakawa as “smart, witty, funny.” Their kindness, shared interests, and love for animals defined their character.