Gene Hackman’s New Mexico property was a ‘breeding ground’ for hantavirus that killed his wife Betsy Arakawa

By BRIAN GALLAGHER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: 06:35 BST, 15 April 2025 | Updated: 06:40 BST, 15 April 2025

Just over two months after actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their New Mexico home, more details are coming in.

The 95-year-old actor and his 65-year-old wife were found dead on February 26 after security personnel saw their bodies through a window and alerted authorities.

While carbon monoxide poisoning was considered an early cause of death, since one of their dogs was found dead too, that was later ruled out.

It was later concluded that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome first, around February 12, with Hackman dying a few days later on February 18 from severe heart disease, which was exacerbated by Alzheimer’s disease and kidney disease.

A week after the bodies were discovered, the New Mexico Department of Public Health conducted a health assessment on the property.

The department concluded – via TMZ – that dead rodents and their nests were found in ‘eight detached outbuildings’ on the Hackman property making it a ‘breeding ground’ for the hantavirus.

Just over two months after actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their New Mexico home, more details are coming in

The 95-year-old actor and his 65-year-old wife were found dead on February 26 after security personnel saw their bodies through a window and alerted authorities

The deadly hantavirus typically spreads through rodent urine and droppings that one may come into contact with when cleaning a basement or an attic.

There were droppings found in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds on the property.

Additionally, there was a live rodent, dead rodent and a rodent nest found in three more garages on the property.

There were also two vehicles seen on the estate that had evidence of rodents, and they even found traps in the buildings as well, suggesting this had been an ongoing issue for the Hackmans.

The health assessment was conducted to assess whether first responders or others who were on the property were safe from the virus.

The results revealed that the primary residence was deemed ‘low-risk’ with no signs of a rodent infestation inside. 

The hantavirus was first identified in South Korea in 1978 when researchers isolated the virus from a field mouse. 

The virus is rare in the US, with fewer than 50 cases reported yearly. For reference, there are roughly 2,000 cases of West Nile Virus reported in the US annually.

The deadly hantavirus typically spreads through rodent urine and droppings that one may come into contact with when cleaning a basement or an attic.

There were droppings found in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds on the property.

However, after Arakawa’s death, the virus claimed three more victims in the town of Mammoth Lakes, California

However, after Arakawa’s death, the virus claimed three more victims in the town of Mammoth Lakes, California. 

Hackman’s 1995 will listed Arakawa – who he married in 1991 – lists Arakawa as his sole inheritor.

Arakawa’s revealed that if they die within 90 days of each other, the proceeds from the estate will be donated to charity.

Hackman retired from acting after 2004’s Welcome to Mooseport and he was rarely seen in the public eye in the two decades since. 

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Gene Hackman’s New Mexico property was a ‘breeding ground’ for hantavirus that killed his wife Betsy Arakawa

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