After Gene Hackman and his wife's death drama: That's why their dog had to die too
Santa Fe (USA) - Following the discovery of the bodies of Hollywood star Gene Hackman (†95) and his wife Betsy Arakawa (†63) on February 26, the cause of death of their dog has now also been clarified .
As the international news agency AP News reports, the Kelpie mix "Zinna" probably died from lack of food and water, while the other two dogs survived.
The autopsy report from the Santa Fe County Animal Control Department describes the shocking condition of the animal. According to the report, the dog was already partially mummified. However, there was no evidence of infection, trauma or poisoning.
Instead, it was found that the four-legged friend's stomach was almost empty and contained only small amounts of hair and bile.
Zinna was one of three dogs belonging to the couple and was discovered dead in a crate in the house's bathroom cupboard. The same house where the bodies of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found.
The couple died of natural causes
Gene Hackman died of heart disease about a week after his wife Betsy died of a respiratory infection caused by hantavirus.
Since Hackman suffered from Alzheimer's disease , investigators assume that he was unaware of his wife's death.
Like the dog, their bodies were already badly decomposed and partially mummified.