Gene was suffering from severe heart disease and advanced Alzheimer’s disease, while Betsy suffered from hantavirus, which is spread through rodent droppings

Gene Hackman‘s wife Betsy Arakawa Hackman died from hantavirus, a flu-like virus linked to rodent droppings, and the Oscar-winning actor didn’t die until a week later, authorities said on Friday, March 7, while revealing their causes of death.

Gene, 95, died from a combination of severe heart disease, high blood pressure and advanced Alzheimer’s disease, and was likely alone in the home with his dead wife for days.

Heather Jarrell, New Mexico’s chief medical examiner, confirmed to reporters Friday that Betsy, 65, had died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is caused by hantavirus. Hantavirus is transmitted to humans via rodent urine, saliva and droppings. Her last outward communication, via email, appeared to occur on Feb. 11, said Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza.

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Meanwhile, the last activity on Gene’s pacemaker was registered on Feb. 17; Jarrell said it is “reasonable to conclude” Hackman, who had no food in his stomach at the time of his death, died the following day. Hackman showed no signs of dehydration, however.

“It is reasonable to conclude that Ms. Hackman passed first,” said Jarrell.

The house owned by actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy. AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales

The Hackmans were each found dead in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26 in advanced states of decomposition. Authorities were called to the scene after a pest control worker called a neighborhood security officer when he stopped by the couple’s home, and they didn’t answer. The officer called 911 when he saw the bodies through a window.

Gene was found in a mudroom of the house, while Betsy was found collapsed in a bathroom near a space heater and scattered pills, according to a search warrant affidavit reviewed by PEOPLE.

The couple’s dog, Zinna, was found dead, crated in a closet, a few feet away from Betsy. Two other dogs were found alive on the sprawling property. A necrospy is being conducted to determine Zinna’s cause of death.

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

While a small gas leak was discovered on one of the couple’s stovetops, carbon monoxide and gas were ruled out as causes of death.

Authorities do not believe foul play was involved. Erin Phipps, a veterinarian with the New Mexico Health Department, said investigators found signs of “rodent entry” in outlying structures on the property, though the assessed risk in the main house was deemed “low.”

Hantavirus cases are relatively rare, but are fatal in up to 42% of cases in New Mexico, said Phipps. Phipps said there have been less than 10 cases of hantavirus in the state in the last five years.

Gene, considered one of the finest actors of his generation, twice won Academy Awards during his decades-long career, with victories coming for The French Connection in 1971 and Unforgiven in 1992.

He retired from Hollywood in 2004 and settled into a quiet life in Santa Fe with Betsy, a concert pianist.