In a heartbreaking and eerie twist of fate, legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their New Mexico home earlier this year under deeply tragic—and deeply unsettling—circumstances. Now, a new environmental report from the New Mexico Department of Health has revealed alarming details that paint a clearer picture of what led to the couple’s deaths and the disturbing presence that may have sealed their fate: rodents.
The bodies of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were discovered during a welfare check on February 26 at their Santa Fe residence. At the time, the cause of death for either was unknown, prompting speculation and concern across the country. Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner and Hollywood icon, had long retired from the public eye, choosing a quieter life in the picturesque southwest with his longtime partner. What was meant to be a peaceful retirement ended in a silent tragedy no one saw coming.
It wasn’t until weeks later that health officials publicly revealed the cause of Arakawa’s death: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare and often fatal illness transmitted through rodent excrement. Gene Hackman, on the other hand, succumbed to cardiovascular disease and complications from Alzheimer’s disease, though not before likely enduring the horror of losing his wife and being trapped in the same home with her body for up to a week before his own death.
The New Mexico Department of Health conducted a thorough environmental investigation of the property shortly after the bodies were discovered, and what they found only added to the sense of unease. The report stated that signs of rodent activity were present in multiple locations across the property, including the attached and detached garages, two guesthouses (casitas), and a storage shed. Among the most chilling discoveries were rodent droppings, urine, and even dead rodents. A full nest was discovered in one of the garages.
Inside one of the vehicles on the property, investigators found a live rodent, a nest, and additional feces—all confirming an active infestation. In response to the findings, live traps had been set out around the home, suggesting that someone had become aware of the problem shortly before the couple’s death.
Curiously, the main house, where the bodies were discovered, was noted to be clean and free from any visible signs of rodent activity. However, the presence of rodents in other areas raises alarming questions about exposure and how quickly hantavirus can become deadly once contracted.
According to Dr. Heather Jarrell, the chief medical investigator for New Mexico’s Office of the Medical Investigator, HPS begins with symptoms that mirror the flu—fever, fatigue, and muscle aches—but can quickly escalate to a severe respiratory phase. “They can transition to that pulmonary phase, where they have fluid in their lungs and around their lungs,” Dr. Jarrell said. “At that point, a person can die very quickly, within 24 to 48 hours, roughly speaking, without medical treatment.”
In Arakawa’s case, health officials estimate she passed around February 12 after contracting the virus, most likely from contact with rodent droppings in one of the outer buildings. Tragically, Hackman was likely present in the house after her death and died roughly one week later, around February 18. Investigators believe that, due to his declining mental and physical health from Alzheimer’s and heart disease, Hackman may have been unable to seek help or process the gravity of the situation.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza described the scenario as “tragic and deeply saddening.” At a March press briefing, Mendoza confirmed that Hackman was believed to have remained in the house with his wife’s body for days before passing away himself. “This was not a crime scene—it was a tragic culmination of natural and environmental causes,” he explained.
The news has left fans of the late actor stunned. Known for iconic roles in films like The French Connection, Superman, and Unforgiven, Hackman had retired from acting in 2004 and led a reclusive life in New Mexico. Despite stepping away from the limelight, his legacy endured, with many viewing him as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
Arakawa, a classically trained pianist and businesswoman, had shared more than three decades of life with Hackman. The couple was often described as private and deeply devoted to one another. Her untimely death from a rare, rodent-borne illness shocked many, highlighting the often-overlooked risks of HPS.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPS is not transmitted from person to person, but through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. In rural settings like Santa Fe, exposure can come from merely cleaning out a garage or shed where rodents have nested. Although rare, the disease has a high fatality rate if not treated early.
This tragic incident is now prompting health officials in New Mexico and beyond to remind residents, especially those in rodent-prone areas, to take precautions when cleaning or entering spaces where rodent activity may be present. The Department of Health has urged homeowners to ventilate spaces before cleaning, wear gloves and masks, and avoid sweeping or vacuuming droppings, which can release particles into the air.
As tributes pour in for both Hackman and Arakawa, there is growing awareness of the deadly risks posed by even a seemingly small rodent infestation. Their deaths, though peaceful in nature, were preventable—an unsettling reminder that even in the quietest corners of the world, danger can lurk unseen.
While the world mourns the loss of one of its cinematic greats and his beloved wife, their story will not be forgotten. It serves as both a tragic love story and a cautionary tale—one that reminds us how fragile life can be, and how even the most hidden threats can change everything in a heartbeat
