Gene Hackman’s Wife Died of Rat-Borne Virus, Then He Succumbed to Alzheimer’s and Starvation

Gene Hackman’s Wife Died of Rat-Borne Virus, Then He Succumbed to Alzheimer’s and Starvation

Late last month, the renowned actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home. At first, the cause of death was a mystery, as their mummified bodies and that of one of their dogs were discovered many days after their death.

The cause of death for both has been determined by New Mexico officials. Hackman, 95, appears died of heart disease, specifically hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a contributing factor. This was after his wife had died suddenly of a rat-borne disease known as hantavirus.

Betsy Arakawa, the wife of the late Gene Hackman, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, New Mexico officials said Friday.

The confirmation of her cause of death ends weeks of mystery after both Arakawa, 65, and Hackman, 95, were found dead inside their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26, with no obvious signs of how they died, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.

The state’s chief medical investigator said Friday that Hackman, an Academy Award-winning actor, died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with “Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor.”

Officials said that Hackman died around Feb. 18, and Arakawa died around Feb. 11. Hackman, who was known to share three pet dogs with Arakawa, was likely home with his deceased wife for one week before he died, authorities said.

Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly virus spread by rodents through their saliva, droppings, and urine. The virus is typically contracted when humans inhale particles from dried rodent excrement, particularly from deer mice in the southwestern United States.

Hantavirus infection can occur one to eight weeks after exposure. Initial symptoms resemble the flu, but as the virus multiplies in the body, it can attack the lungs and cardiovascular system. The fluid build-up in the lungs, heart damage, and lowered blood pressure can result in sudden organ failure.

The mortality rate for hantavirus is 50%. With the new information, the likely scenario is as follows after Arakawa was struck with Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS):

HPS, which initially presents with flu like symptoms, can progress rapidly, leading to breathing problems, low blood pressure, and organ failure.

The scene of chaos in the bathroom tells a grim tale of a swift decline by Arakawa.

She was found lying on the floor with her head next to a space heater with thyroid medication pills scattered around her.

Unforgiven star Hackman may have wandered around the sprawling 9000 square foot home, lost and confused, for seven days – without his partner of three decades by his side to feed and care for him, or look after their three treasured dogs,

Left to fend for himself and with his wife’s body decomposing in their bathroom, Hackman, who was already in ‘very poor health’ went without food.

It is thought Arakawa contracted hantavirus in one of their property’s outbuildings, which had evidence of rodent droppings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are examining the strain that claimed her life.

The CDC has offered to test samples involved in Arakawa’s case to learn more about the strain of virus that infected her and to perform pathology testing.

New Mexico reported a total of 129 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome with 52 deaths between 1975 and 2023. according to the state health department. That includes seven in 2023 and another seven in 2024.

This is such a sad end to what appears to be a truly loving couple. Hopefully, they are united in heaven.

As an aside, perhaps my favorite Hackman role was that of Lex Luthor in “Superman”.

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