Hollywood actor Gene Hackman was reportedly suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and may not have fully grasped that his wife had passed away.

Axar.az reports that Dr. Heather Carrell, the chief medical examiner of New Mexico, spoke about the matter at a special press conference.

Due to the severe form of Alzheimer’s he suffered from, Hackman might not have comprehended his wife’s passing, the expert stated:

“The 95-year-old actor also had severe heart problems, which ultimately led to his death. Pacemaker readings indicate that he passed away on February 18, when his final heart activity was recorded. During the autopsy, pathologists found that Hackman’s stomach was empty, suggesting that he may have gone without food for a week before his death, with no one to care for him.”

Dr. Carrell further explained that the actor’s wife had passed away a week earlier due to pulmonary hantavirus syndrome:

“This disease is transmitted when humans inhale dust particles containing fecal matter from infected rodents. It starts like a cold, rapidly worsens, leading to oxygen depletion in the blood and heart failure.”

Other doctors and pathologists believe that the explanation put forth by forensic experts from Santa Fe appears to be a credible version of events.