Overview

• The New Mexico Department of Public Health found extensive rodent infestations in eight outbuildings and two vehicles on Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Santa Fe property.
• Betsy Arakawa died on February 12, 2025, from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and often fatal disease linked to rodent droppings, urine, or saliva.
• Gene Hackman passed away around February 18, 2025, from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor.
• Investigators revealed Arakawa had searched online for flu-like symptoms and contacted a medical concierge service hours before her death.
• The couple’s primary residence was deemed low-risk for rodent exposure, but ongoing reviews of digital records and property assessments continue to refine the timeline of events.