Harrowing new details have emerged following Gene Hackman’s wife’s autopsy two months after she died from a rat-borne virus.
The autopsy has found the concert pianist had fluid accumulation in her chest, and her lungs were heavy and congested. The 65-year-old musician’s vessels, which supplied blood to the heart and body, had become hardened, the report released on Tuesday showed.
She and her 95-year-old husband were discovered dead and partially mummified in their mansion in Santa Fe, New Mexico in February. It has since emerged Ms Hackman had died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) – an unpleasant rat-borne virus – in their bathroom days before her husband had passed.
Now the new detail about the woman’s lungs and vessels has been disclosed by authorities following analysis of the autopsy. The pianist, who was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, was exposed to rat droppings in the couple’s garage and outhouses, it is understood. Hantavirus is a rare but potentially fatal disease spread by infected rodent faeces.
Ms Hackman tested negative for COVID-19 and flu, and showed no signs of trauma, the autopsy report said. Her carbon monoxide levels were within normal range, and she tested positive for caffeine and negative for alcohol and intoxicating drugs. Her carbon monoxide levels were within a normal range.
Her husband, the legendary actor, had “a history of congestive heart failure” and “severe chronic hypertensive changes, kidneys,” Fox reported, citing the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico. He had a “bi-ventricular pacemaker” since April 2019 and “neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer’s Disease,” according to the autopsy.
“Autopsy showed severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with placement of coronary artery stents and a bypass graft, as well as a previous aortic valve replacement,” the recent documents stated.
“Remote myocardial infarctions were present involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum, which were significantly large. Examination of the brain showed microscopic findings of advanced stage Alzheimer’s disease.”
But Mr Hackman, who won three Golden Globe Awards including 1993’s Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture for his role in Unforgiven, tested negative for Hantavirus. It cannot be spread between people.
His wife died first around February 12 as a result of respiratory symptoms caused by Hantavirus, police in New Mexico said. However, Mr Hackman may not have ever realised his partner had died, due to the advanced nature of his Alzheimer’s disease.
The tragic couple tied the knot in December 1991, seven years after the first started dating. Mr Hackman, who played Lex Luthor in three Superman films, was married to Faye Maltese until their divorce in the late 1980s.
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