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Gene Hackman’s Home Linked to Virus That Killed His Wife

Gene Hackman’s Home Linked to Virus That Killed His Wife
Published 2 weeks ago on Apr 15, 2025

Gene Hackman’s $4M Mansion Found Infested With Rats Linked to Deadly Virus That Killed His Wife Before His Death.

Legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were both found dead in their $4 million New Mexico estate earlier this year, and shocking new revelations have emerged about the true cause of their tragic demise. The 95-year-old Oscar-winning star and his 65-year-old wife were discovered by security personnel on February 26, after they noticed their bodies through a window and notified authorities. What initially appeared to be a carbon monoxide incident has since been ruled out, as investigators now believe a rare rodent-borne virus was responsible for Arakawa’s death — with Hackman passing away days later due to complications from multiple health conditions.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: A Rare and Lethal Culprit

According to medical examiners, Betsy Arakawa died around February 12 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare but often deadly illness caused by exposure to hantavirus. This virus is typically spread through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or nesting materials, especially in enclosed areas like basements, attics, or storage buildings. Her death sent shockwaves through the medical community and prompted an immediate health assessment of the sprawling property.

Hackman, suffering from severe heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and kidney disease, passed away just six days later on February 18. Investigators have speculated that the frail actor may not have even realized that his wife had died, given his deteriorating mental and physical health.

Property Assessment Reveals Alarming Rodent Infestation

A week after the tragic discovery, the New Mexico Department of Public Health carried out a thorough inspection of the Hackmans’ estate. What they found was deeply concerning: multiple outbuildings across the property were infested with rodents and their nesting sites, making the estate a “breeding ground” for hantavirus.

According to a report obtained by TMZ, rodent droppings were located in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds. Inspectors also found live and dead rodents, along with nests, in several locations. Even two vehicles on the property showed signs of rodent activity. The presence of rodent traps throughout the estate suggested the issue had been ongoing for some time, though it remains unclear whether the couple fully understood the severity of the situation.

Surprisingly, the primary residence — where the bodies were found — was deemed “low risk” with no direct evidence of rodent infestation inside. This finding raised further questions about how Arakawa contracted the virus. Experts suggest she may have come into contact with the virus while accessing storage buildings or during routine activities around the property.

A Tragic Sequence of Events

Authorities initially considered carbon monoxide poisoning as a potential cause of death, especially given that the couple’s dog was also found deceased elsewhere on the estate. However, further investigations ruled out gas leaks, leading to a more perplexing mystery. Body cam footage from responding deputies, released by court order in early April, shows them speaking with workers who had alerted the authorities. “Something’s not right,” one of the workers remarked, referencing the scene they encountered.

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Gene Hackman’s $4M Mansion Found Infested With Rats Linked to Deadly Virus That Killed His Wife Before His Death.

Legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were both found dead in their $4 million New Mexico estate earlier this year, and shocking new revelations have emerged about the true cause of their tragic demise. The 95-year-old Oscar-winning star and his 65-year-old wife were discovered by security personnel on February 26, after they noticed their bodies through a window and notified authorities. What initially appeared to be a carbon monoxide incident has since been ruled out, as investigators now believe a rare rodent-borne virus was responsible for Arakawa’s death — with Hackman passing away days later due to complications from multiple health conditions.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: A Rare and Lethal Culprit

According to medical examiners, Betsy Arakawa died around February 12 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare but often deadly illness caused by exposure to hantavirus. This virus is typically spread through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or nesting materials, especially in enclosed areas like basements, attics, or storage buildings. Her death sent shockwaves through the medical community and prompted an immediate health assessment of the sprawling property.

Hackman, suffering from severe heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and kidney disease, passed away just six days later on February 18. Investigators have speculated that the frail actor may not have even realized that his wife had died, given his deteriorating mental and physical health.

Property Assessment Reveals Alarming Rodent Infestation

A week after the tragic discovery, the New Mexico Department of Public Health carried out a thorough inspection of the Hackmans’ estate. What they found was deeply concerning: multiple outbuildings across the property were infested with rodents and their nesting sites, making the estate a “breeding ground” for hantavirus.

According to a report obtained by TMZ, rodent droppings were located in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds. Inspectors also found live and dead rodents, along with nests, in several locations. Even two vehicles on the property showed signs of rodent activity. The presence of rodent traps throughout the estate suggested the issue had been ongoing for some time, though it remains unclear whether the couple fully understood the severity of the situation.

Surprisingly, the primary residence — where the bodies were found — was deemed “low risk” with no direct evidence of rodent infestation inside. This finding raised further questions about how Arakawa contracted the virus. Experts suggest she may have come into contact with the virus while accessing storage buildings or during routine activities around the property.

A Tragic Sequence of Events

Authorities initially considered carbon monoxide poisoning as a potential cause of death, especially given that the couple’s dog was also found deceased elsewhere on the estate. However, further investigations ruled out gas leaks, leading to a more perplexing mystery. Body cam footage from responding deputies, released by court order in early April, shows them speaking with workers who had alerted the authorities. “Something’s not right,” one of the workers remarked, referencing the scene they encountered.

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