[joshua c]

wife has aneurysm

drops dead

gene has full blown dementia

unable to take care of himself

and unaware of what is going on

dies of thirst/starvation

the dog in the crate dies of same

the loose dogs are able to forage to survive

pure speculation

[Vermont Lt]

That was my thought.

I wonder what the dogs ate?

[Tired of Taxes]

Your theory in post #39 was pretty much spot on. Hackman's wife died first, but from a different cause of death.

Gene Hackman Died From Alzheimer’s & Severe Heart Disease After His Wife Died Several Days Before