Inside Gene Hackman's distressing final days from squalor to 'dark' truth after tragedy

and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead on February 26 at their New Mexico mansion. It was later determined that Betsy died aged 65 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome around February 12, brought about by a virus spread through rodent droppings. The US Marine veteran and two-time Oscar winner, 95, died a few days later on February 18 from severe heart disease, which was exacerbated by Alzheimer's disease and kidney disease.

takes an inside look into the tragic deaths of the husband and wife which have sparked further interest in their lives after Gene quit acting to enjoy retirement. In recent years, pals have revealed the couple had become increasingly more reclusive. Gene and Betsy were rarely apart from each other as the circumstances around their deaths have come to light.

Betsy had become Gene's sole caregiver in his later years when he developed Alzheimer's disease and became incapable of carrying out daily tasks.

She ran the household errands, made sure he remained active and protected him from illnesses.

Gene is also reported to have been wandering aimlessly around his home till his own death a few days after his wife as speculation from authorities believe he was likely "confused" as it was revealed when his body was found Gene's stomach was empty.

According to a report by RadarOnline, expert Dr. Gabe Mirkin suggested their is a "danger of having one caregiver".

He added, "[Gene] likely didn't know, or was unable to process, that his wife had died."

Their decomposing bodies were discovered on February 26 when a maintenance worker called security after no one answered the door.

In the latest updates bodycam footage captured how the couple's heartbroken dog watched over Betsy's lifeless body as it lay surrounded by clutter.

Haunting new photos revealed the extent of the legendary actor and wife's hoard of belongings that had been accumulated over their 34-year marriage.

Clothes were found piled up in several rooms of the sprawling Santa Fe home, while other items including dog beds, pill packets and bedding are seen strewn across the floor.

A bathtub was seen filled with assortments and miscellaneous items with a dog cage seen beneath the clutter.

A dressing room is filled with piles of shirts, jeans, dresses and boxes of shoes, while other treasured items are stacked high, close to toppling over.

An environmental assessment conducted at the couple's residence in March found evidence of rodents across detached buildings around their property.

The department concluded that dead rodents and their nests were found in "eight detached outbuildings" on the Hackman property making it a "breeding ground" for the hantavirus, TMZ reported.

The results revealed that the primary residence was deemed "low-risk" with no signs of a rodent infestation inside.

Zinna, one of their three dogs, was also found dead in a crate in a closet.

Gene would have been alone in the house for days, disoriented and too frail to seek help. His pacemaker last recorded his heartbeat on February 18, which indicates that he died about a week after his wife.