A close friend of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa has come forward with the heartbreaking reason why the late Hollywood legend was unable to seek help after his wife’s passing.

The entertainment world was shaken late last month when the decomposing bodies of Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home.

Initial speculation suggested that the couple may have fallen victim to carbon monoxide poisoning or a gas leak, while more extreme theories even pointed to the possibility of foul play.

Early reports indicated that authorities found no immediate signs of wrongdoing, but as the case developed, further investigation was deemed necessary.

For weeks, the public anxiously awaited the results of the promised toxicology reports, as small pieces of information surfaced each day.

Finally, last Friday, it was confirmed that both Hackman and Arakawa had died of natural causes, though the circumstances were far from ordinary. Arakawa reportedly succumbed to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a rare and often fatal viral infection contracted through exposure to rodent droppings or urine.

According to The Guardian, Arakawa had taken on the role of Hackman’s primary caregiver in his later years. The two-time Oscar-winning actor had been battling Alzheimer’s disease, leaving him unable to manage basic daily tasks. Arakawa took charge of their home, ensuring her husband remained engaged and safe.

Following her passing—believed to have occurred around February 11—Hackman was left alone in their house for days, confused and unable to seek assistance. At a later press conference, investigators stated that he likely wasn’t even aware that his wife had died.

As reported by The Daily Mail, Tom Allin, a close friend of the couple, disclosed that Hackman was unable to call for help after Arakawa’s passing because he didn’t own a phone and had no interest in modern technology.

“This is so sad. Mrs. Hackman died, and Gene was so far advanced with his Alzheimer’s that he was wandering around and didn’t eat,” an insider shared, emphasizing the devastating impact of his illness, which was also cited as a “significant factor” in his passing.

They continued, “If he didn’t have a phone he couldn’t have called for help, even if he’d wanted to.”

Tragically, when maintenance worker Jesse Kesler discovered the couple’s bodies, one of their three dogs, Zinna, was also found deceased inside a crate.

Rest in peace, Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.