In brief
A recent environmental assessment has revealed rodent activity at the Santa Fe residence of the late Oscar-winner Gene Hackman and his wife, linked to the cause of death of Ms. Betsy Arakawa.
In the aftermath of the tragic deaths of actor Gene Hackman's wife Betsy Arakawa, officials have uncovered nests and deceased rodents in outbuildings at their Santa Fe home. New Mexico Department of Public Health reports indicate that evidence of rodents was found across eight detached structures on the property. Ms. Arakawa, aged 65, was confirmed to have died from a respiratory illness tied to hantavirus, which is transmitted through infected rodent droppings or urine. Investigators believe Ms. Arakawa succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) on February 12, just days before her husband, Hackman, 95, who was suffering from advanced Alzheimer's disease, passed away on February 18. Their bodies were discovered inside the home on February 26 during a wellness check. An assessment conducted on March 5 uncovered rodent feces, a live rodent, and several dead rodents across three garages, with further droppings noted in two additional small outbuildings and three sheds. Abandoned machinery and vehicles on the property also showed signs of rodent infestation, all within close proximity to the couple's main residence, which was reported to be free from rodent activity.Public health officials confirmed that hantavirus can cause serious respiratory issues, with a mortality rate of around 38% when symptoms develop. The CDC documented 864 hantavirus cases in the U.S. from 1993 to 2022, primarily in rural areas of the West. Hackman's death was attributed to severe heart disease, exacerbated by his Alzheimer's condition, which likely hindered his awareness of the tragic events around him.
