In a heartbreaking turn of events, health officials have discovered rodent nests and droppings around the New Mexico property where legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead earlier this year.
Betsy, 65, passed away from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — a rare but deadly illness linked to exposure to infected rodent waste. Just days later, Hackman, aged 95 and reportedly battling advanced Alzheimer’s, died of heart disease inside the same home.
Health inspectors recently conducted a full sweep of the Santa Fe estate and found signs of rodent infestation in outbuildings, garages, and parked vehicles on the property.
Fortunately, the main house — where Hackman was found — showed no signs of direct contamination and was labeled as low-risk.
The couple had lived a quiet life away from the spotlight, but the circumstances of their passing have shocked many.
Arakawa hadn’t been seen alive since February 11, and when authorities entered the home on February 26, they found her lifeless body beside one of their dogs.
Hackman was found at the front entrance — with investigators suggesting he may have been unaware of his wife’s death due to his declining mental state.
Hantavirus is rare in the U.S., but its danger is real — especially in rural areas where rodent activity is harder to manage. Health experts are now using this tragic story to raise awareness about the risks and the need for proactive rodent control.
