Celebrities

Gene Hackman’s Home Linked to Virus That Killed His Wife

Published 19 hours ago on Apr 15, 2025

Gene Hackman’s $4M Mansion Found Infested With Rats Linked to Deadly Virus That Killed His Wife Before His Death.

Legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were both found dead in their $4 million New Mexico estate earlier this year, and shocking new revelations have emerged about the true cause of their tragic demise. The 95-year-old Oscar-winning star and his 65-year-old wife were discovered by security personnel on February 26, after they noticed their bodies through a window and notified authorities. What initially appeared to be a carbon monoxide incident has since been ruled out, as investigators now believe a rare rodent-borne virus was responsible for Arakawa’s death — with Hackman passing away days later due to complications from multiple health conditions.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: A Rare and Lethal Culprit

According to medical examiners, Betsy Arakawa died around February 12 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare but often deadly illness caused by exposure to hantavirus. This virus is typically spread through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or nesting materials, especially in enclosed areas like basements, attics, or storage buildings. Her death sent shockwaves through the medical community and prompted an immediate health assessment of the sprawling property.

Hackman, suffering from severe heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and kidney disease, passed away just six days later on February 18. Investigators have speculated that the frail actor may not have even realized that his wife had died, given his deteriorating mental and physical health.

Property Assessment Reveals Alarming Rodent Infestation

A week after the tragic discovery, the New Mexico Department of Public Health carried out a thorough inspection of the Hackmans’ estate. What they found was deeply concerning: multiple outbuildings across the property were infested with rodents and their nesting sites, making the estate a “breeding ground” for hantavirus.

According to a report obtained by TMZ, rodent droppings were located in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds. Inspectors also found live and dead rodents, along with nests, in several locations. Even two vehicles on the property showed signs of rodent activity. The presence of rodent traps throughout the estate suggested the issue had been ongoing for some time, though it remains unclear whether the couple fully understood the severity of the situation.

Surprisingly, the primary residence — where the bodies were found — was deemed “low risk” with no direct evidence of rodent infestation inside. This finding raised further questions about how Arakawa contracted the virus. Experts suggest she may have come into contact with the virus while accessing storage buildings or during routine activities around the property.

A Tragic Sequence of Events

Authorities initially considered carbon monoxide poisoning as a potential cause of death, especially given that the couple’s dog was also found deceased elsewhere on the estate. However, further investigations ruled out gas leaks, leading to a more perplexing mystery. Body cam footage from responding deputies, released by court order in early April, shows them speaking with workers who had alerted the authorities. “Something’s not right,” one of the workers remarked, referencing the scene they encountered.

The case was finally closed when medical examiners confirmed the respective causes of death: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome for Arakawa and natural causes for Hackman, whose health had already been in serious decline.

Hantavirus: Rare but Deadly

Hantavirus was first identified in South Korea in 1978 and has since been recognized globally as a dangerous, albeit rare, virus. In the United States, fewer than 50 cases are reported each year. In contrast, other mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus account for thousands of cases annually.

The death of Betsy Arakawa has raised awareness about the potentially lethal risks of rodent infestations — especially in rural or semi-rural properties where rodent populations can thrive unnoticed. The situation became even more alarming when three more cases of hantavirus were confirmed shortly afterward in Mammoth Lakes, California.

Legal Battle Over Privacy and Legacy

Gene Hackman, known for iconic roles in films such as The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums, had retired from acting in 2004 after his final appearance in Welcome to Mooseport. In the decades that followed, he lived a largely private life with Arakawa at their New Mexico estate.

Initially, all images and body cam footage from the investigation were restricted under a court order to protect the couple’s right to privacy. Hackman’s estate, represented by attorney Kurt Sommer, argued that the couple had worked hard to stay out of the public eye and that this privacy should extend beyond their deaths. However, Judge Matthew Wilson ruled that materials could be released as long as they did not depict the bodies or other graphic content. “There shall be no depiction of either body in any video production,” he ordered.

Estate and Final Wishes

Hackman’s 1995 will named Arakawa — his wife of 33 years — as his sole beneficiary. However, Arakawa’s own will stipulated that if both spouses died within 90 days of one another, the entirety of the estate would be donated to charity. With both deaths occurring just days apart, it is expected that the Hackman estate, valued in the millions, will now benefit charitable organizations — although the exact recipients have not been disclosed.

A Lasting Legacy

The deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa mark the end of an era. Hackman was one of Hollywood’s most revered actors, earning two Academy Awards and leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable performances. Though his final years were spent far from the spotlight, the mystery and tragedy surrounding his and his wife's deaths have reignited public interest in his life and work.

Their story is a sobering reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk in even the most idyllic homes — and a testament to how even Hollywood royalty are not immune to life’s most unexpected turns.

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