In early March, news broke about the death of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and the couple’s dog. Their passing has been surrounded by numerous mysteries that are still under police investigation. Notably, Betsy’s doctor claimed she called him after her presumed time of death.
According to investigators, Hackman died about a week after his wife passed away. Hackman had Alzheimer’s disease, so it’s possible he didn’t fully understand that he had been left alone. Recently, horrifying new details about the actor’s death have come to light. The New Mexico Department of Health issued a shocking statement: it turns out the couple’s estate was a serious breeding ground for infection.
Dead rodents and their nests were found scattered throughout eight separate outbuildings on the property. Environmental specialists conducted an assessment and were reportedly stunned by what they discovered. It’s now known that Betsy Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a deadly illness caused by hantavirus. This disease spreads through the urine and droppings of infected rats and mice and is often contracted during the cleaning of attics or basements.
In the case of Gene and Betsy, rodent droppings were found in three garages, two houses, and three sheds on their property. Signs of rodent activity — including nests, feces, and damage — were also discovered in two vehicles. Investigators even found live traps that had been set up inside some of the outbuildings.
