A cause of death has been established for Hackman’s dog that was found dead alongside the actor and his wife last month.
A cause of death has been established for Gene Hackman’s dog after it was found dead alongside the actor and his wife last month.
An examination of the kelpie mix, named Zinnia, found that dehydration and starvation were likely behind the pup’s demise.Why it matters
Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found partially mummified in separate rooms of their New Mexico home on February 26. Zinna was found dead at the home nearby.
Dr. Heather Jarrell, the chief medical examiner for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, confirmed their causes of death in a press conference last week.
Arakawa, 65, died on February 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a potentially deadly virus that is spread by rodents. Hackman, 95, died a week later from «heart disease with advanced Alzheimer’s a significant contributory factor.»
Jarell said that Hackman’s advanced Alzheimer’s disease means it was likely that the actor was «not aware» that his wife had died several days earlier.
