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 malady but he was also in the advanced stages of Alzheimer s syndrome and likely had not eaten for a long time according to a new autopsy document The statement documents the -year-old actor s poor heart fitness 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 malady spread by infected rodent droppings Functionaries have announced Hackman s wife Betsy Arakawa likely died Feb at home from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome Her autopsy analysis hasn t yet been disclosed A toxicology overview 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 revealed an abnormal heart rhythm on Feb the day he likely died according to the state s chief curative examiner Records issued earlier in the review exhibited Arakawa made phone calls and internet searches as she scoured for information on flu-like features and breathing techniques In recent weeks issued videos outline the scope of the inquiry into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa Before they understood how Hackman and Arakawa died government 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