Records show Hackman’s wife researched symptoms days before death

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ALBUQUEQ, N.M. (AP) – Authorities released a lengthy investigation report on Tuesday detailing days before Gene Hackman’s wife’s death, detailing some of the last email, phone calls and internet searches, suggesting she is searching for information about flu symptoms and respiratory technology.

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Investigators say Betsy Arakawa died in February of Hanta Viral Pulmonary Syndrome – a rare rodent disease that can cause a range of symptoms, including flu-like illness, headache, dizziness and severe respiratory distress. Gene Hackman is believed to have died a week later from a heart attack with complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

Part of the mummy remains of 95-year-old Hackman and 65-year-old Arakawa were found in their Santa Fe home on February 26, when maintenance and security personnel showed up at home and reminded police.

A review of Arakawa’s computer shows she is actively studying medical conditions related to the medical conditions at the age of 19 and flu-like symptoms between the morning of February 8 and February 12, according to a report released on Tuesday. These searches include questions about whether COVID can cause dizziness or nosebleeds.

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She also mentioned in an email to the masseur that Hackman woke up on February 11 and had symptoms of flu or cold like that, but the co-test was negative and she would have to reschedule the next day’s date “out of caution.”

Arakawa’s search history also shows questions about concierge medical services in Santa Fe on the morning of February 12. Investigators reviewed her phone records, showing that her phone lasted less than 2 minutes and missed a return call late that afternoon.

Investigators also reviewed voicemail and security videos from the stores Arakawa visited on February 11 and reviewed phone history for Hackmans home phones.

Authorities are also expected to release more edited police camera footage from the inside of the house as sheriff’s deputies and investigators try to piece together what happened to the couple. The written report described the rooms they walked through the house without finding anything unique or signs of forced entry.

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They found grocery bags on the pantry floor. On February 11, a copy of the Santa Fe newspaper in New Mexico was in a bag. They also recorded a bag of opened bagels, some of which were lost.

The report said there was a grand piano and sofa in the living room. There were pillows on one sofa, as if someone was sleeping there. Investigators also described a collection of artworks, puzzles and drawing supplies in the restaurant, as well as medical supplies such as bandages and tapes in several kitchen drawers.

The materials were released as a result of a recent court order that enforces any description of the couple who were deceased. All photos, videos and documents in the investigation were released by an earlier interim court order.

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Hackman estate and family members try to close records to protect the family’s constitutional privacy.

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An environmental assessment of the hacker property found rodent feces in several outbuildings of the property, according to a report from the New Mexico Department of Health. The interior of the house is clean and there is no evidence of rodent activity.

Nestled in Pinon and Juniper Hills, overlooking Santa Fe, Hackman Home is no different from other homes in the area, as rats are common in the surrounding landscape.

One of the couple’s three dogs was also found dead in a box in a bathroom closet near Alakava, while the other two dogs were still alive. A state veterinary lab associates dog death with dehydration and hunger.

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Manor’s attorney Kurt Sommer argued at a hearing last month that the couple tried their best to stay away from public lights throughout their lives, and that the right to control the use of their names and similarities should extend to their legacy.

The Associated Press, CBS News and CBS studios stepped in and said in court documents that they would not spread images of the couple’s bodies and would blur the images to cover them from other records.

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