Los Angeles - Betsy Arakawa, wife of the actor Gene Hackman, died at least a day later than initially believed, according to the latest reports from New Mexico authorities investigating the deaths of both men.
New Mexico authorities believed Arakawa likely died of a rare viral infection on February 11, as that was the last time she was seen publicly and she stopped responding to emails, the statement said. The New York Times.
However, after analyzing her cell phone, investigators discovered that the pianist had made three phone calls on the morning of February 12, according to Denise Womack-Avila, a spokeswoman for the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, on Monday, the newspaper added.
He added that the calls were made to Cloudberry Health, a medical service in the area.
The Times reports that Dr. Josiah Child, the center's lead physician, said in an interview that the clinic called Arakawa again that morning and scheduled an appointment for the same afternoon, although he did not keep it.
And he explained that The wife of the renowned actor had reported that she felt congested, but did not show signs of respiratory distress.
Arakawa and Hackman were found dead in their isolated home outside Santa Fe late last month. The state medical examiner concluded that Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus, which is contracted through exposure to rodent droppings.
The virus can cause flu-like symptoms before progressing to a respiratory illness, as well as heart and lung failure, the newspaper notes.
Hackman, who suffered from Alzheimer's, spent another week at home with his wife's body and died on February 18 from heart disease.
The timeline of the couple's deaths, whose bodies were discovered two weeks later by a neighborhood security guard, has shifted as investigators have uncovered new information about their recent outings and communications.
However, a New Mexico state court yesterday blocked the release of autopsy reports and images of both men's bodies.
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Judge Matthew Wilson issued a temporary restraining order preventing the University of New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator and the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office from releasing any photographs or video footage of Hackman and Arakawa's bodies, as well as the interior of their home.
A Hollywood legend for several decades in the 20th century, Hackman won two Oscars for his iconic roles in 'The French Connection' and 'Unforgiven', and became one of the most versatile and popular actors of his generation.
