A news update about Gene Hackman’s death investigation came to light as health officials confirm Hollywood legend’s New Mexico property was infested with disease-carrying rodents that killed his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
The shocking discovery raises serious concerns about the deadly hantavirus lurking in many American homes and how government agencies failed to prevent this tragedy.
An environmental assessment conducted at Hackman’s Santa Fe residence revealed extensive rodent infestation in outbuildings and garages.
The New Mexico Department of Public Health launched the investigation last month, approximately one week after the bodies of Hackman and his wife were discovered on their luxury property.
The findings were disturbing: eight outbuildings showed clear signs of rodent infestation, including rodent feces, a live rodent, a dead rodent, and a rodent nest.
While the main 8,761-square-foot residence was clean, the surrounding structures on the 6-acre property were compromised, creating a deadly health risk that ultimately claimed Arakawa’s life.
Medical examiners confirmed that Arakawa, 71, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but devastating disease spread through contact with infected rodent droppings.
Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator for New Mexico’s Office of the Medical Investigator, told reporters that people who contract HPS after being exposed to rodent excrement often feel ill for three to six days.
“Then they can transition to that pulmonary phase, where they have fluid in their lungs and around their lungs,” she said.
“And at that point, a person can die very quickly, within 24 to 48 hours, roughly speaking, without medical treatment,” Dr. Jarrell added.
Hackman, 94, died of heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor, and was likely with his deceased wife for a week before his own death.
The disease progresses rapidly from flu-like symptoms to severe respiratory failure, and without prompt medical attention, it can quickly turn fatal.
In her last communication, Arakawa mentioned flu-like symptoms that she initially mistook for a common illness.
The discovery has sparked debate over rural property management and government protocols for infectious disease control.
Hackman’s property had live traps in outbuildings, suggesting awareness of the rodent problem, but questions remain about why more was not done to address the infestation.
The couple’s private nature—they did not employ housekeepers—may have contributed to the oversight.
Moreover, the tragedy has brought attention to the federal government’s failure to adequately address public health threats from rodent-borne diseases in rural areas.
While federal agencies focus on urban population centers, many rural Americans remain vulnerable to preventable environmental hazards with minimal guidance or support.
The Hackman tragedy also reveals the vulnerability of elderly Americans. Hackman’s daughters reported his declining health and unfamiliarity with modern technology, making it difficult for him to seek help when his wife fell ill.
Adding to the heartbreak, one of the couple’s dogs was found dead, likely from lack of food and water, while another was running loose on the property when authorities arrived.
For property owners across America, especially in the Southwest, where hantavirus is more common, this tragedy showcases that rodent infestations are not just unsightly nuisances – they can be deadly.
Regular inspection and professional pest control should be considered essential home maintenance rather than optional services, particularly for those with multiple structures on their property.
