Gene Hackman friend breaks silence over 'what really happened' to him

Gene Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa kept the star isolated in a bid to protect him, a friend has claimed

Despite their cause of death being revealed, new theories are emerging on what led to the tragic deaths of Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65.

Now a new theory regarding their deaths has surfaced, one that hopes to explain what exactly happened in the hours before their end.

The late couple were found dead in their Santa Fe residence on February 26, with Gene suffering from advanced dementia and severe heart disease, while Betsy on the other hand, succumbed to a rare disease known as Hantavirus

Read more: Gene Hackman death twist emerges after neighbours issue 'disturbing' update

Tom Allin, 75, a business partner to Gene and long-time friend, has shared his own perspective to the New York Times, explaining: "I don't think she allowed anybody in the house, especially in the last six months. But she was little. If he fell, she would have a hard time lifting him."

"She was going to do everything to protect him until he passed away. But she didn't expect to pass away first. Betsy's absolute goal of privacy ended up not being helpful at all," he speculated.

This disturbing theory posits that Betsy's effort to protect Gene in his vulnerable state inadvertently led to his death, as there was no one there to help him following her demise.

Authorities confirmed last week that the French Connection star died from heart disease complicated by Alzheimer’s disease.

His death followed that of Betsy's, who succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-borne illness, one week before.

Gene was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, meaning he may have been unaware of his wife’s passing, medical examiners said.

Yet, an LA-based doctor has also shared his scepticism over Betsy's cause of death being hantavirus.

Speaking to The Mail on Sunday: "Medical professionals are all scratching their heads over hantavirus as the cause of death.

"Respiratory failure is not sudden – it is something that worsens over several days.

"Most people get admitted to the ER [emergency room] because they are having trouble breathing. It's exceedingly rare for a seemingly healthy 65-year-old to drop dead of it. In fact, no one's heard of such a thing."