Recent investigations have uncovered rodent nests and dead rodents in the outbuildings of the home where celebrated actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered deceased. Documentation from the New Mexico Department of Public Health indicates that these rodents were found across eight detached buildings on their property.
Betsy Arakawa, 65, reportedly succumbed to a respiratory illness associated with hantavirus, which is known to be transmitted by infected rodents. Preliminary reports suggest she passed away about a week before her husband, Gene Hackman, 95, who was suffering from advanced Alzheimer's disease. Authorities found their bodies in their home in February, an event that has shocked fans and the community alike.
An environmental evaluation conducted on March 5, just a week after the couple was found, revealed an alarming amount of rodent activity in three garages, including rodent feces, live rodents, and nests, in addition to various droppings across smaller outbuildings and sheds. Further, sightings of rodents and associated nests were documented near abandoned vehicles on the property. Notably, the main house itself showed no evidence of rodent presence, according to public health officials.
Medical experts believe Ms. Arakawa likely contracted hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a serious lung condition characterized by fatigue, fever, muscle aches, dizziness, and abdominal problems, ultimately leading to her unexpected death. Hantavirus is known to be carried by rodents, with transmission primarily occurring through inhalation of particles from dried droppings, urine, or saliva of infected animals.
The CDC reports a 38% mortality rate for those developing respiratory symptoms from HPS, with 864 cases recorded in the U.S. from 1993 to 2022, predominantly in rural areas of the western states. Meanwhile, Gene Hackman’s death was attributed to severe heart disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a contributing factor, leaving questions about his awareness of his wife's passing during their final days together.
