Mystery has swirled over the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa ever since their partially mummified remains were discovered at their Santa Fe home earlier this year.
Speculation persisted even after it was ruled that the actor, 95, died from heart disease and Alzheimer’s complications about a week after Arakawa, 65, succumbed to the rare hantavirus, a disease spread by rats.
The New Mexico Department of Public Health has since concluded that there were numerous rat nests at the home.
Harrowing photos from inside the property have revealed the extent of the squalor the Oscar winning actor and his artist wife were living in prior to their deaths.
But they have also have prompted questions over how nobody spotted the signs about the elderly couple’s decline.
The Hackman estate had sought to keep all pictures and documents linked to the investigations into the deaths private and following their release, it is easy to see why.
The images show the couple’s $4 million mansion in total disarray, piled high with clutter and garbage.
The vanity in the bathroom where Arakawa’s body was discovered can be seen strewn with dozens of toiletries and prescription bottles, laying bare their fragile health.
Arakawa was apparently acting as her husband’s sole caretaker, but the extreme condition of their home has led many to ask why nobody else was checking in.
Harrowing photos showing the extent of the mess in Gene Hackman’s home before his death have prompted questions over why nobody besides his wife was checking up on him
The New Mexico Department of Public Health has since concluded that there were numerous rat nests at the home
Hollywood royalty Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa are seen months before their death
‘Didn’t he have housekeepers, gardeners and simply people who run the house for them?’ one person asked.
‘Especially at that age? He’s rich, he could afford that. He probably didn’t want anyone around. It’s all so weird.’
‘The bottom line is, they cared for each other, but seemingly no one else did. No one should die like this, rich or poor,’ another person added.
‘Where were their children? They didn’t call, visit but all but held their hands out. I hope they get nothing,’ a third person said.
Images showed how the bathtub was overflowing with opened packages, while stacks of clothing were left dumped on a chair.
Other rooms were equally filthy including the kitchen, where moldering groceries were left out in the open and the bedroom which contained blood-stained linens.
One heartbreaking photo shows the cage where one of the couple’s dogs, Zinna, died after she was left in her crate following a vet appointment.
Opened packages were seen piled up high in the couple’s bathtub at the $4 million Santa Fe mansion
The kitchen was found stocked with groceries, many of which were expired
The couple were found dead in separate rooms of their home by security personnel on February 26
The cage is all but obscured by a sea of papers, blankets and other mess.
The disarray is so extensive it had clearly been going on much longer than the week Hackman spent living alone alongside his wife’s body.
Arakawa was found face down in the bathroom, near a scattered bottle of pills.
Her cause of death was hantavirus, a rare but severe respiratory illness spread through exposure, typically inhalation, to rodent droppings.
An inspection by the New Mexico Department of Public Health concluded that dead rodents and their nests were found in ‘eight detached outbuildings’ on the Hackman property making it a ‘breeding ground’ for the hantavirus, TMZ reported.
It was not until a week after Hackman’s death security personnel discovered the couple’s remains on February 26.
Investigators were quick to rule out foul play and typical causes such as a gas leak, which only fueled speculation.
In bodycam footage, the staffers are heard telling police officers how much the couple valued their privacy.
Bloodied bedding was found in the couple’s room. Many have questioned why they were allowed to live unsupervised
Hackman, 95, died from Alzheimer’s complications and heart disease a week after his wife succumbed to the rare Hantavirus
The same argument was used by his estate in court when it tried unsuccessfully to block the release of documents related to the investigation into the couple’s deaths.
Among the files released were handwritten notes from Hackman to Arakawa which illustrate the depth of his love.
Hackman appeared grateful to his wife, even on occasion calling her ‘lovely girl’, and seemed to almost always sign his letters ‘Love, G’, the police images show.
Among the most heartbreaking notes in the collection was one the actor wrote to Betsy in which he apologizes for needing her help preparing a birthday dinner.
‘Good morning,’ the note began. ‘Happy several days after your birthday. Sorry still about the dinner and having to ask for your help, although it was appreciated.’
He signed the note: ‘Love you and the guys, G.’
Arakawa, who appears to have managed the day-to-day activities and errands, would leave jigsaw puzzles for Hackman to complete, the notes revealed.
In one letter detailing how she needed to take their dog to the vet, Betsy penned: ‘Hi G! Taking Zin to obedience class & the vet appt. See you back at home!
Hantavirus is a rare but often fatal disease spread through the urine, droppings and saliva of rodents
The Hackman estate had attempted to block the release of documents and photos linked to the investigation into the couple’s deaths
‘There is jigsaw puzzle on the table. xo B.’
Police photos taken in the home showed a collection of completed jigsaws stacked in a pile on top of a table, suggesting that the couple frequently worked on puzzles.
Their love for their three dogs was also evident, with various photos of the animals found throughout the home.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .