Gene Hackman's New Mexico home was 'infested' with rats


Gene Hackman

Published: 06:35 BST, 15 April 2025 The property where Hollywood star Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in February was infested with rats that spread a deadly disease, it has emerged. The 95-year-old actor and his 65-year-old wife were found dead on February 26 at their home in New Mexico after security personnel saw their bodies through a window and alerted authorities. Carbon monoxide poisoning was considered an early cause of death, but was later ruled out after investigators discovered the couple's dog was also found dead elsewhere on the property. It was later concluded that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome around February 12, a rare condition brought about by the hantavirus that is spread via rodent droppings and urine. Hackman died a few days later on February 18 from severe heart disease, which was exacerbated by Alzheimer's disease and kidney disease. Hackman may have been unaware Arakawa was dead, investigators speculated, given his severe health condition at the time of her death. A week after the bodies were discovered, the New Mexico Department of Public Health conducted a health assessment on the property. The department concluded that dead rodents and their nests were found in 'eight detached outbuildings' on the Hackman property making it a 'breeding ground' for the hantavirus, TMZ reported. The deadly hantavirus typically spreads through rodent urine and droppings that one may come into contact with when cleaning a basement or an attic. There were droppings found in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds on the property. Additionally, there was a live rodent, dead rodent and a rodent nest found in three more garages on the property, according to the inspectors. There were also two vehicles seen on the estate that had evidence of rodents, and they even found traps in the buildings as well, suggesting this had been an ongoing issue for the Hackmans. The health assessment was conducted to assess whether first responders or others who were on the property were safe from the virus. The results revealed that the primary residence was deemed 'low-risk' with no signs of a rodent infestation inside.