HARROWING new details of what happened to Betsy Arakawa when she died have been revealed in an autopsy report.
The concert pianist, 65, was found dead alongside her husband, the Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, and one of their dogs on February 26.
New details of Arakawa's death have since been revealed, suggesting lungs were "heavy and congested".
According to an autopsy report released on Tuesday, the concert pianist had fluid accumulation in her chest and mild hardening of the vessels that supplied blood to the heart and body.
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially fatal disease spread by infected rodent droppings.
Arakawa tested negative for COVID-19 and the 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.
Arakawa's autopsy and toxicology reports were released two days after similar documents on Hackman's death were made public, confirming his main cause of death was heart disease.
The 95-year-old actor also was in the advanced stages of Alzheimers disease and likely had not eaten for a long time, according to his autopsy. He tested negative for hantavirus.
Records released earlier in the investigation showed Arakawa made phone calls and internet searches as she scoured for information on flu-like symptoms and breathing techniques.
Recently released videos outline the scope of the investigation into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa.
Before they understood how the couple died, authorities recorded themselves conducting interviews with workers and returning to Hackman's home to search for more evidence.
Gene Hackman's family's full statement
Gene Hackman's family has spoken out on the actor's death after he was found dead with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in their Santa Fe home.
Hackman's daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and his granddaughter, Annie, released the statement.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy," Elizabeth, Leslie, and Annie Hackman said.
"He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa.
"We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss."
Detectives searched the home in early March for Arakawas laptop and other clues.
Investigators previously described how they believed the couple died days apart, and due to Hackman's advanced Alzheimer's, it is possible he did not know his wife was dead.
Heartbreaking surveillance footage was also found to have captured the final movements of Hackman's wife Arakawa weeks before the couple's mummified bodies were found on their sprawling New Mexico estate.
Two weeks before investigators stumbled upon the grim findings, Arakawa was captured on video keeping herself busy and running errands.
Surveillance footage showed Arakawa at a Sprouts Grocery Market self-checkout, purchasing groceries at around 4 pm on February 11.
She is captured on video wearing blue jeans, a dark coat, a scarf, and a black face mask.
Minutes later, Arakawa is seen on video stopping by Shine Pet Food store.
The surveillance videos showed Arakawa is unaccompanied as she enters and exits the businesses without any glaring health ailments.
The videos were part of a trove of documents released by the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office on Tuesday as part of their investigation into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa.
HARROWING FIND
Bodycam footage released by the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office showed the moment responding deputies arrived at the puzzling scene, where one of the couple's German Shepherd dogs was guarding Arakawa's body.
"Poor guy, he's sad," one of the investigators can be heard saying.
A separate video showed the moment investigators find Hackman's body in a separate section of the property.
"Two totally separate areas of the house," a deputy is heard saying, as another responds, "Mhm, it's strange."
One of the couple's three dogs was also found dead in a crate in a bathroom closet near where Arakawa's body was found.
The other two dogs were alive as one is heard barking in the background.
The video also showed deputies going through the rooms of the estate, checking for any signs of forced entry or foul play.
Investigators were seen counting cash that was found around the home, looking at prescription medication on one of the bathroom counters, and check the kitchen's stove after any potential gas leak.
The leak concerns lead investigators to begin opening doors and windows around the house.
A separate video showed technicians inspecting the home for signs of a gas or carbon monoxide leak.
However, a thorough inspection showed there were no leaks.
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