Dementia patients often put themselves at risk without meaning to, an Alzheimer's disease expert tells the Mirror . Hollywood actor Gene Hackman, 95, was tragically found dead in his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico , on February 27, with his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65. It has since been revealed that the Oscar star had advanced Alzheimer's which contributed towards his death. He died a week after Betsy passed away from a rare infectious disease . The beloved couple, who were married for 24 years,