The authorities in New Mexico have recovered evidence that Betsy Arakawa, the wife of the actor Gene Hackman, died at least one day later than they had previously estimated. The New Mexico authorities initially believed that Ms. Arakawa had likely died of a rare viral infection on Feb. 11. But after analyzing her cellphone, investigators learned that Ms. Arakawa had made three phone calls on the morning of Feb. 12 to a concierge medical service, Cloudberry Health. The clinic called Ms. Arakawa back that morning and scheduled an appointment for that afternoon. She had reported feeling congested but there were no signs of respiratory distress. Ms. Arakawa did not show up for her appointment that afternoon.
Dr. Josiah Child, the lead physician at the clinic, said that Ms. Arakawa, 65, died from the effects of hantavirus, which is contracted through exposure to excrement from rodents. The virus can cause flulike symptoms before progressing to shortness of breath, as well as cardiac and lung failure.
Ms. Arakawa and Mr. Hackman were both found dead in their secluded home outside of Santa Fe late last month. The state medical examiner concluded that Mr. Hackman, who had Alzheimer’s, died from the effects of heart disease.
Source link
