The New Mexico Department of Public Health discovered multiple dead rodents, nests and droppings in Gene Hackman and the wide estate of his wife, according to the recently published records obtained by Fox News Digital.
The environmental evaluation that discovered the rodents was held on March 5, a week after the late actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa-Hackman, were found dead at home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26. It was carried out as part of the investigation of death to guarantee the safety of the first responders and family who had access to the property.
The authorities discovered the rodents and nests dead in eight separate units in the property of the couple.
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Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa Hackman were discovered dead at their home in Santa Fe on February 26. (Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
According to the report, rodent stool were found in three separate garages, three sheds and two houses. Living traps were listed as a rodent control technique and were being used in the dependencies, according to the evaluation.
The entrance to the closed community where actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa-Hackman and his dog were found dead at home is shown on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Photo AP/Roberto Rosales)
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Two vehicles on the property also had rodent sightings, a nest and feces.
Hantavirus strains in the United States are not transmissible from person to person, but from animals to humans. According to CDCs, “people get hantavirus from contact with rodents such as rats and mice, especially when they are exposed to their urine, excrement and saliva.”
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Dr. Erin Phipps, veterinary of the State of New Mexico in the Department of Health of New Mexico, explained previously that the State had confirmed between one and seven cases of rare infection in humans every year, which ended in 2024.
“We have identified 136 infections in the last 50 years in New Mexico's residents, five of them in Santa Fe County,” said PHIPPS. “This is a serious illness. Forty -two percent of these infections here in New Mexico were fatal.”
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa-Hackman were not seen for weeks before their bodies were discovered. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella collection through Getty Images)
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Hantavirus is characterized by “symptoms similar to flu that consist of fever, muscle aches, cough, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea that can progress to the lack of breathing and heart or cardiac failure and pulmonary insufficiency,” explained the chief medical researcher Dr. Heather Jarrell during a March press conference.
The officials responsible for enforcing the law speak outside the Casa del actor Gene Hackman on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa-Hackman and one of his dogs were found dead in the house one day before. (Photo AP/Roberto Rosales)
Betsy, a classic pianist, died of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to New Mexico officials. Gene died from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor.
Gene probably survived at home only for approximately one week, until he died around February 18, which was the last time the activity was recorded in his pacemaker. The authorities assumed that this was his last day alive, since the body of the Oscar winner was not discovered for nine more days.
Gene, Betsy and one of his dogs were found dead at his home in Santa Fe in February by maintenance workers. The couple had been married for more than 30 years.
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The last days of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa-Hackman were alive for New Mexico's officials during the investigation. (Getty images)
The detectives initially described the couple's deaths as “of nature suspicious enough to require an exhaustive search and investigation,” according to a sworn statement of search warrant obtained by Fox News Digital.
The authorities confirmed that an external trauma was not seen in Gene or Betsy, and New Mexico's authorities initially launched a criminal investigation into their deaths.
Gene and Betsy previously proved negative for carbon monoxide, Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed at that time. His residence was tested by colorless and toilet gas and was authorized by the Fire Department of the city of Santa Fe after the authorities could not find evidence of a leak or poisoning of carbon monoxide.
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