India, March 8 -- Betsy Arakawa, the wife of actor Gene Hackman and an American classical pianist, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare virus transmitted by mice, according to autopsy results released on Friday in New Mexico.

The 64-year-old Arakawa, along with the 95-year-old Oscar-winning actor and one of their dogs, were found dead on February 26 in different rooms of their Santa Fe home, according to Reuters. At a press conference held by the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office, officials confirmed that Hackman died of heart disease, while Arakawa's death was attributed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Reuters quotes authorities as saying that Arakawa had passed away a week before Hackman. When asked whether Gene Hackman's advance...