Recent investigations carried out by the New Mexico Department of Public Health have revealed the presence of rodent nests and other signs of infestation at the Santa Fe home of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his late wife, Betsy Arakawa. This discovery follows the tragic death of 65-year-old Arakawa, who is believed to have succumbed to a respiratory illness caused by hantavirus, a disease transmitted by infected rodents.
Reports indicate that a detailed environmental assessment conducted on March 5, soon after the couple was found deceased, unveiled several outbuildings riddled with rodent droppings, confirming the presence of both live and dead rodents. Of the eight detached buildings on the property, the investigation noted significant rodent activity, with evidence collected from garages, external houses, and sheds.
Local health authorities established that Arakawa likely passed away on February 12, with Hackman following just six days later on February 18, during a time when he was grappling with advanced Alzheimer's disease. The discovery of their bodies occurred on February 26, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths and potential environmental hazards.
Medical experts have linked Arakawa's death to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a serious respiratory condition characterized by fever, muscle aches, and abdominal discomfort, which can rapidly escalate if aggravated by viral presence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that hantavirus is primarily spread to humans through inhalation of particles from rodent urine, feces, or saliva.
As the story unfolds, medical examiners revealed that Hackman passed due to severe heart disease, compounded by his Alzheimer's, which likely impeded his awareness of his wife's passing in their shared residence.
The unfortunate circumstances surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa highlight not only the dangers posed by wildlife interactions but also raise pressing issues concerning environmental management and basic health safety in domestic settings.
