Santa Fe, NM — A tragic series of events culminated in the deaths of renowned actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, following a concerning discovery of severe rodent infestation across their extensive New Mexico property, officials said. The discovery highlighted potential health risks posed by the presence of hantavirus, a sometimes deadly virus transmitted through rodent droppings.
Gene Hackman, a celebrated two-time Oscar-winning actor known for his roles in “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” passed away due to a combination of severe heart disease, high blood pressure, and Alzheimer’s disease. His wife, a 65-year-old classical pianist, succumbed to natural causes related to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome just seven days prior to Hackman’s death. Both bodies were discovered in their residence in February, along with their deceased dog Zinna.
The couple’s home and surrounding buildings were subsequently inspected by health officials. During a homesite environmental assessment carried out in March by the New Mexico Department of Public Health, evidence of rodent feces was noted in multiple structures including three detached garages, two guest houses, and three storage sheds. Investigators also found both a live rodent and dead rodents in the garages.
Erin Phipps, the New Mexico State Public Health Veterinarian, indicated that while the primary residence showed no signs of rodent activity and was considered clean, eight other buildings on the estate were accessible to rodents. Additionally, rodent sightings were reported in two vehicles and live traps were found elsewhere on the property.
A specialized risk assessment testing was conducted on March 5 to evaluate the safety of the home for investigators, first responders, and visiting family members. This assessment was particularly crucial following the confirmation of a hantavirus threat.
Despite the tragedy, reports clarified that exposure risk to hantavirus within the primary living spaces remained low. However, the pervasive accessibility of rodents to several auxiliary outbuildings raised concerns regarding potential contact points for the virus.
Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman had married in 1991 and chose to retire from the public eye after Hackman left his acting career in 2004. They last appeared publicly together in March 2024. The couple also had two other dogs, which were found alive and wandering around the large estate.
Hantavirus is relatively rare, but can be extremely lethal. Prior statements from health officials noted that hantavirus cases are fatal in up to 42% of occurrences in New Mexico. Over the last five years, the state has recorded fewer than ten cases, underscoring the rarity but also the potential severity of the disease.
This incidence not only casts a light on the quietly lived, yet conclusively dramatic, final years of one of Hollywood’s venerable actors but also underscores the broader public health implications tied to rural and under-maintained properties. As investigators and local authorities continue to assess and address the situation, the community remains alert to the dangers associated with neglected properties and the wildlife that may inhabit them.