Gene Hackman's property rife with rodents that carry hantavirus

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News on Apr 15, 2025

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The New Mexico property where actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in February appears to have been infested with rodents that carry the deadly hantavirus responsible for her death.

Rodent feces were found in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds on their Santa Fe estate, according to TMZ. The New Mexico Department of Public Health also reportedly discovered one living rodent and a dead one in those garages.

There was no sign of critter activity inside the house, though evidence of their presence was said to have been found in vehicles linked to the couple. Traps found on the property indicate it was known the area had a pest problem.

Hackman, 95, appeared to have died of heart disease couple with advanced Alzheimer’s around Feb. 18. Officials said Arakawa died several days earlier from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is caused by a virus spread by rodents. She was 65.

Their bodies were discovered by authorities responding to a 911 call from someone who identified himself as a maintenance worker. The caller said he spotted a motionless figure from outside the home. Authorities said the couple had been dead for more than a week before they were discovered.