The main cause of Gene Hackman’s death was heart disease, but he was also in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease and likely had not eaten for a long time, according to a post-mortem report.

The post-mortem notes Hackman, 95, had experienced congestive heart failure, an aortic valve replacement and an irregular heart beat. He was given a pacemaker in April 2019.

Authorities said Betsy Arakawa, the actor’s wife, likely died on Feb 11 at home from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Her post-mortem report has not yet been released.

Hackman’s carbon monoxide concentration was less than 5 per cent saturation, which is within the normal range. Carbon monoxide was initially suspected as a possible cause of death after one of the couple’s dogs was also found dead at the home.

The New Mexico Department of State concluded that the dog, named Zinna, had died of dehydration and starvation.

He tested negative for the hantavirus, which is a rare but potentially fatal disease spread by infected rodent droppings.