Inside Gene Hackman’s awful final days: How Hollywood great died after days of starving and confused horror not even realising his wife was dead as dogs went mad

He was one of Hollywood’s greats, winning two Oscars, counting Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman as close friends and starring in numerous history-making roles.

But Gene Hackman‘s lonely end in the mud room of his Santa Fe mansion – a week after the death of his wife in the bathroom from a rat-borne virus – was as far away from the spotlight as possible.

Police confirmed Friday that Hackman, 95, died from cardiovascular disease around February 18 – days after Betsy Arakawa, 65, succumbed to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in their bathroom around February 11.

Officials said Hackman – whose battle with advanced Alzheimer’s was confirmed publicly on Friday – tragically may not even have known his wife had died.

HPS, which initially presents with flu like symptoms, can progress rapidly, leading to breathing problems, low blood pressure, and organ failure.

The scene of chaos in the bathroom tells a grim tale of a swift decline by Arakawa.

She was found lying on the floor with her head next to a space heater with thyroid medication pills scattered around her.

Unforgiven star Hackman may have wandered around the sprawling 9000 square foot home, lost and confused, for seven days – without his partner of three decades by his side to feed and care for him, or look after their three treasured dogs,

Left to fend for himself and with his wife’s body decomposing in their bathroom, Hackman, who was already in ‘very poor health’ went without food.

An autopsy showed his stomach was empty at the time of his death.

Hackman was found dead with his cane and sunglasses by his side in a room just off the kitchen following an apparent fall – hinting he may have been on his way out of the home before his weak heart gave in.

His pacemaker’s last recorded activity was on February 18 – but help would not arrive until over a week later.

The reclusive couple’s dogs, who were lovingly cared for by the couple, were also left alone.

Their pet Zinna, who had been picked up by Arakawa from a veterinary hospital on February 9 – two days before her death – was found dead in a a kennel in a bathroom closet about 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa’s partially mummified remains.

Officials believe the animal had been crated due to the recent medical care it had received.

A German Shepherd named Bear and a second dog named Nikita were found running around the 12 acre property – with a dog door allowing them access to food and water.