Recent reports by the New Mexico Department of Public Health highlighted the presence of rodent nests and dead rodents in eight separate outbuildings of the couple’s Santa Fe home. The findings stem from an environmental assessment conducted after the tragic discovery of the couple's bodies, identified as Betsy Arakawa, 65, who succumbed to a respiratory illness linked to hantavirus, and Gene Hackman, 95, who was in an advanced stage of Alzheimer's disease.
Authorities confirmed that Ms. Arakawa died on February 12, while Mr. Hackman passed away six days later, on February 18. Their bodies were found in their residence on February 26. The environmental report noted signs of rodent activity, including feces, dead rodents, and a nest in three garages and two external structures, along with sightings in abandoned vehicles throughout the property. Notably, the main house appeared to be clean with no signs of infestation.
The hantavirus, which Ms. Arakawa is believed to have contracted, is transmitted through infected rodent debris and can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Symptoms include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, with a steep mortality rate among patients demonstrating respiratory symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 864 hantavirus cases across the U.S. from 1993 to 2022, primarily affecting rural populations.
In related findings, the cause of Gene Hackman's death was attributed to severe heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer's cited as a contributing factor. Experts mentioned that due to his cognitive decline, Mr. Hackman may not have been aware of his wife's death prior to his own passing.
