Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 26, 2025, with Hackman's final autopsy results revealing significant health issues. The actor, aged 95, had been fasting for an extended period, resulting in elevated acetone levels in his system, a condition often linked to prolonged starvation. In addition to this, Hackman had a history of congestive heart failure and severe chronic hypertensive changes, as well as neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer's Disease. A bi-ventricular pacemaker had been installed in 2019 to manage his heart condition. The cause of death for both Hackman and his wife was disclosed in a press conference held on March 7.

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were discovered deceased in their shared residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26, 2025.

The autopsy revealed that Hackman, aged 95, had been fasting for a prolonged period, which led to trace amounts of acetone in his system, a byproduct of starvation.

Elevated acetone levels in Hackman's blood, recorded at 5.3 mg/dL, were significantly higher than the normal endogenous levels, indicating extended fasting.

Hackman had a history of serious health issues, including congestive heart failure and chronic hypertensive changes affecting the kidneys. He also had a bi-ventricular pacemaker implanted in 2019.

The autopsy further noted neurodegenerative features in Hackman consistent with Alzheimer's Disease, contributing to his complex health profile.

The causes of death for Hackman and his wife were publicly disclosed during a press conference on March 7, 2025.

The autopsy results were officially shared by the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico and reported via Fox News on April 27, 2025.

The results of Gene Hackman‘s autopsy are in, two months after he and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead on February 26 in their shared Santa Fe home in New Mexico. He was 95 years old and she was 63.

The Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico shared the results on Sunday (April 27), via Fox News.

According to a final autopsy, the actor was fasting for an extended period of time, and had “trace amounts” of acetone in his system.

Keep reading to find out more…

The colorless solvent, which is found in nail polish and paint remover, is also a product of prolonged starvation, via Heathline.

The final autopsy’s toxicology test showed acetone levels “at 5.3 mg/dl, where as reported normal endogenous acetone levels in blood are up to 0.3 mg/dL,” which is consistent “with a prolonged level of fasting.”

The autopsy also noted that the actor had a “history of congestive heart failure” and “severe chronic hypertensive changes, kidneys.”

A “bi-ventricular” pacemaker was placed in April 2019. The autopsy also acknowledged the actor had “neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer’s Disease.”

He and his wife’s causes of death were revealed during a March 7 press conference.

Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.