Gene Hackman's wife searched COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms days before death

SANTA FE, N.M. (TNND) — Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman's wife, repeatedly searched online about medical conditions related to COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms days before the couple died at their Santa Fe home in February, according to new records released by authorities.

The lengthy investigation report was released Tuesday only after a court order mandated that depictions of the couple's bodies must be blocked from view.

All photos, video and documents from the investigation had been restricted from release by an earlier, temporary court order aiming to protect the family's right to privacy.

Some of the questions Arakawa looked up on her computer included whether COVID-19 could cause dizziness or nosebleeds, according to the report. It was also mentioned in an email to her massage therapist that Hackman had woken up Feb. 11 with flu or cold-like symptoms but that a COVID-19 test was negative and she would have to reschedule her appointment for the next day "out of an abundance of caution."

In addition to searching online, the report detailed how Arakawa had a call on Feb. 12 with a concierge medical service that lasted less than two minutes and missed a return call later that afternoon.

Redacted body camera footage also showed investigators walking around inside the home as they tried to piece together what happened to the couple.

“Two totally separate areas of the house,” an officer comments.

“Mhm, it’s strange,” another responds.

The partially mummified remains of the couple were found on Feb. 26 after maintenance and security workers showed up at the home and alerted police.

Hackman was discovered by officials on the floor of the mud room of the house and Arakawa was found lying on her side on the bathroom floor with a space heater near her body, according to the affidavit.

An orange prescription bottle was also observed on the counter with pills scattered on the countertop, the search warrant states.

Dr. Heather Jarrell, who is the chief medical examiner for New Mexico at the Office of the Medical Investigator, said Arakawa, 65, suffered from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is a severe respiratory illness caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents.

An environmental assessment of the Hackman property by state health personnel later found rodent feces in several outbuildings along with live traps on the property. No evidence of rodent activity was found in the home.

Jarrell said Hackman was tested for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, with the results coming up negative. It was determined that the 95-year-old died of severe heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease as a "significant" contributing factor.

One of their three dogs, a kelpie mix named Zinna, was also found dead in a crate in a bathroom closet near Arakawa, according to reports. Two other dogs were found alive.

Carbon monoxide poisoning was originally suspected, but the New Mexico Gas Company concluded its investigation, noting there were "no significant findings" of leaks.

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Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.