The tragic deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa have left many in shock and mourning. Following their passing, reports have emerged detailing the disturbing discovery of dead rodents and feces on their property in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Hackman and Arakawa were found deceased inside their home on February 26, with Arakawa succumbing to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted by rodents. In an effort to ensure the safety of first responders and others accessing the estate, the New Mexico Department of Health conducted a risk assessment on March 5.
The assessment revealed that multiple outbuildings on the property contained dead rodents and rodent nests. Rodents and feces were found in three garages, while feces were also present in two casitas and three sheds. Fortunately, the couple’s primary residence was deemed clean, with a low risk of hantavirus exposure.
Further investigations revealed that Hackman passed away due to hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer’s disease as a contributing factor, at the age of 95. Arakawa’s cause of death was confirmed to be hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a result of inhaling hantaviruses from rodent excretions.
Authorities determined that Arakawa likely passed away before Hackman, with her death estimated to be around February 12, while Hackman’s death followed on February 18. The news of their tragic demise was met with sorrow by their family, including Hackman’s daughters Elizabeth and Leslie, and granddaughter Annie, who expressed their profound loss in a statement to Us Weekly.
The couple’s legacy will be remembered not only for Hackman’s illustrious acting career but also for the love and admiration they shared with their family. The discovery of rodents and feces on their property serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by these creatures and the importance of proper rodent control to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
