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Gene Hackman’s final autopsy reportedly indicates the actor had not eaten for an extended period of time prior to his death in February.
The official report from the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico showed Hackman had trace amounts of acetone in his system.
The legendary star’s toxicology test showed acetone levels at 5.3 mg/dl, which is consistent with prolonged fasting, per Fox News.
The solvent can be a “product of diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis as well as a metabolite following isopropanol ingestion,” according to the report.
The autopsy also confirmed Hackman had a “history of congestive heart failure” and “severe chronic hypertensive changes” to his kidneys.
The medical investigator’s report also noted “neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer’s disease.”
New Mexico officials previously revealed Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s causes of death during a press conference in March.
The actor died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with “advanced Alzheimer’s disease” being a contributing factor.
There was no food in his stomach, per the autopsy performed Feb. 27, revealing he had not recently eaten.
Arakawa, meanwhile, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare rodent-transmitted virus. Hackman tested negative for the virus.
It’s believed the classical pianist died on Feb. 12, while the “Royal Tenenbaums” actor likely died on Feb. 18 when his pacemaker last showed signs of activity.
Officials believe Hackman had been unknowingly living with his wife’s dead body for days.
At the time, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said it was “quite possible” Hackman did not know Arakawa had passed due to his mental state.
The couple’s partially mummified bodies were discovered in separate rooms of their extremely cluttered home on Feb. 25.
Hackman was 95, and Arakawa was 65.
English (US)