Recent investigations unveiled that several rodent nests and dead rodents were found in the outbuildings of the home where the husband-and-wife duo was found after their deaths earlier this year. The New Mexico Department of Public Health documented these findings in a report detailing rodent activity across eight detached buildings on the property.
Betsy Arakawa, 65, passed away from a respiratory illness connected to hantavirus, a disease linked to infected rodents. Her husband, Gene Hackman, 95, succumbed to heart disease shortly after, with advancing Alzheimer’s potentially influencing his awareness of the situation.
The environmental assessment showed evidence of rodent activity, including droppings and nests, in garages and small sheds scattered close to the couple's main residence. Despite this, health officials stated that the main house itself showed no signs of infestation.
Hantavirus is transmitted primarily through the inhalation of aerosolized particles from rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. According to the CDC, severe cases can lead to a high mortality rate if respiratory symptoms develop.
Their bodies were discovered on February 26, leading to a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
