THE cause of death for Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s loyal dog who died alongside the married couple has been revealed.
Zinna, a beloved Australian Kelpie mix, was tragically found in a “mummified state” inside a crate in the bathroom near to the body of Betsy.
Vets have ruled out an infection or poisoning leading to the 12-year-old’s death with it taking weeks for answers to finally emerge.
An examination of Zinna has now revealed the dog showed signs of both dehydration and starvation.
Officials say both possible causes of death are likely, according to tests done on the canine.
A Department of Agriculture’s veterinary lab report obtained by The Associated Press says Zinna was found in a partially mummified state.
They noted that despite the severe decomposition possibly making it heard to detect organ related issue no evidence of a disease, trauma or poisoning have been found.
The report noted that the dog’s stomach was mostly empty except for small amounts of hair and bile.
Legendary Hollywood actor, Gene, and his wife also had two other dogs living with them at the time of their deaths.
Their German Shepherd Bear and Akita-shepherd mix Nikita met emergency responders when they first attended the actor’s address after concerned calls from neighbours.
They bounded up to crews, frantically barking before running off.
Initially, the team thought the dogs were being playful, but it was soon revealed that they were actually trying to lead the paramedics to Hackman’s body in their final act of loyalty to their owner.
Frantic 911 call revealed after Gene Hackman and wife found ‘not moving’ by weeping caretaker who begs operator for help
The team had already found the body of 65-year-old Betsy in the bathroom of the Santa Fe mansion but despite a 30-minute search of the property, they were unable to find the 95-year-old.
Thanks to the help of his dogs, Hackman’s body was located in the mudroom at the far end of the sprawling, 9,000-square-foot home.
After leading the team to him, one of the dogs sat beside Hackman’s body.
Nikita was “skittish because of all the commotion” and refused to leave the sides of both of her owners, the authorities said.
Both dogs are now said to be waiting to be re-homed.
After days of speculation over Gene and Betsy’s cause of death, officials announced they died seven days apart.
Hackman’s wife was found to have died on February 11 from a rare rodent disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Hantavirus spreads when exposed to rodents’ urine, droppings, and saliva, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hackman, who was suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s, was then alone in the house for days.
It is possible that he did not know of his wife’s body in the bathroom.
He then died on February 18 when the last signal from the actor’s pacemaker was recorded.
The medical examiner ruled his cause of death as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiac disease and noted that his Alzheimer’s will have played a “significant” role in his death.
He tested negative for hantavirus, Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell revealed.
Neither body was found until February 26 when a neighborhood caretaker called 911 after finding them unresponsive at the property.
The couple was extremely private in their final years, living in a cul-de-sac of their gated community.
Hackman is survived by two daughters and a son from a previous marriage.
Gene Hackman’s family’s statement on his death
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.”
