The wife of late actor Gene Hackman reportedly worried the 95-year-old was experiencing signs of COVID before he died from heart disease in mid-February.
Betsy Arakawa, 65, searched online for information about the potentially deadly infection before she too died in February, according to a new report released by New Mexico officials, obtained by TMZ.
Investigators reportedly learned that Arakawa searched online to see if COVID could cause symptoms like dizziness or nosebleeds. She sent an email to an acquaintance claiming Hackman awoke on Feb. 11 with flu or cold-like symptoms, though he reportedly tested negative for COVID.
Records were said to show that Arakawa purchased Boost Oxygen canisters on Feb. 11, one day before she’s believed to have died. One of the last times she was seen, Arakawa was shopping inside a CVS while wearing a mask, according to USA Today.
While a medical examiner determined Hackman’s bad ticker, coupled with advanced Alzheimer’s, led to the Oscar winner’s death, authorities believe Arakawa died nearly a week earlier from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The infectious disease can include symptoms like fever, chills and muscle aches, which can also be indicative of COVID.
The hantavirus that causes those symptoms is typically spread by rodents. Authorities in Santa Fe said a search of the couple’s property following their deaths showed signs of infestation.
Hackman and Arakawa’s decomposing bodies were discovered by first responders on Feb. 26.
