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Gene Hackman deaths linked to virus as hidden health risk uncovered at rural estate

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April 17, 2025
4 min read

Gene Hackman deaths linked to virus as hidden health risk uncovered at rural estate

The deaths of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa shocked fans earlier this year and now new details have emerged about the quiet, unsettling circumstances behind their passing.

Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were both found dead at their New Mexico home in late February. At the time, speculation circled around possible causes, including carbon monoxide poisoning, especially after the couple’s dog was also discovered deceased. That theory was soon ruled out, but what’s followed is both tragic and deeply unusual.

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According to newly released reports, Betsy Arakawa died first, on 12th February, from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare, rodent-borne illness. Gene Hackman passed six days later from heart failure, with Alzheimer’s disease and kidney complications also cited. In the days after their deaths, a health assessment of their estate revealed evidence of a longstanding rodent problem, particularly in eight outbuildings including garages and sheds.

Hantavirus is transmitted when humans inhale tiny particles from infected rodent droppings or urine and while rare, it’s often deadly. Dead rodents and active nests were found in several structures on the property, as well as in two vehicles. Though the main home was deemed low-risk, the environment around it told a very different story.

The couple had chosen a quiet life away from the spotlight, and for the most part, had succeeded in keeping it that way. Gene Hackman had long retired from acting, leaving behind a remarkable career that spanned The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums, to name just a few. Arakawa, a businesswoman, had helped build their life far from the Hollywood circuit.

Their deaths, while peaceful in appearance, have drawn attention to lesser-known environmental risks, especially in rural, low-traffic areas where rodent activity can go unchecked. According to official health data, there are typically fewer than 50 cases of hantavirus reported annually in the United States. However, despite its rarity, the virus can be fatal if not identified early. Following Arakawa’s passing, three additional cases were later confirmed in Mammoth Lakes, California.

The couple’s estate had signs of efforts to manage the issue, including rodent traps, suggesting they may have been aware of the problem but not the scale or potential danger. The health department’s investigation also aimed to determine whether first responders or others who entered the property were at risk.

For more background on the virus and how it’s contracted, the CDC provides detailed information on hantavirus.

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