Authorities have released a detailed investigation report shedding light on the final days of Betsy Arakawa, wife of the late Gene Hackman, before her death in February. The report reveals that Arakawa was actively searching the internet for information related to flu-like symptoms and breathing techniques. Arakawa passed away due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted by rodents, which can cause flu-like symptoms and severe respiratory issues. Hackman died approximately a week later due to heart disease, complicated by Alzheimer’s disease. The couple’s partially mummified remains were found in their Santa Fe home on February 26, after maintenance and security personnel raised the alarm.
An examination of Arakawa’s computer activity between February 8 and the morning of February 12, as noted in the report, shows her inquiries into medical conditions associated with COVID-19 and related symptoms. She asked whether COVID could cause dizziness or nosebleeds and indicated in an email to her masseuse that Hackman showed flu or cold-like symptoms on February 11. Despite a negative COVID test, she postponed an appointment as a precaution. Arakawa’s final search on February 12 targeted a health care provider in Santa Fe.
The investigation extended to call logs, voicemails, and security camera footage from stores Arakawa visited on February 11. Authorities are preparing to release additional redacted police body camera footage from inside the home, illustrating deputies’ efforts to reconstruct the couple’s final days. The investigation reportedly spotted nothing unusual or any sign of forced entry within the residence. A court order has mandated the obscuration of any depictions of the deceased in released materials, previously withheld by an interim court order.
Family members and the Hackman estate had sought to keep the records sealed, citing privacy rights. An environmental assessment of the property by the New Mexico Department of Health identified rodent feces in outbuildings, although no evidence of rodents was found inside the living quarters. Three detached garages contained a live rodent, a dead rodent, and a nest. Despite efforts to preserve privacy, media outlets assured they would not distribute or show images of the deceased couple’s bodies.
Additionally, one of the couple’s three dogs was discovered dead from dehydration and starvation, while two other dogs survived. The home, surrounded by piñon and juniper hills, sits in an area where rodents are common. During a hearing, a representative for the estate argued for the family’s right to manage the use of Hackman’s and Arakawa’s likenesses posthumously. This stance was supported by concerns about the potentially distressing nature of the investigation’s visual materials.
The Bottom Line
The release of the investigation report into the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa brings to light the tragic circumstances surrounding their last days, underscoring the importance of awareness regarding rare diseases like hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. For the community, this case highlights the necessity of addressing rodent infestations, particularly in rural and semi-rural areas, to prevent similar tragedies. The detailed report also serves as a reminder of the privacy challenges families face in the aftermath of public figures’ deaths, balancing the need for information with respect for personal privacy.
The case may prompt local authorities and residents to reinforce preventive measures against rodent-borne diseases by maintaining clean and rodent-free environments. It also emphasizes the complex interplay between public interest and personal privacy, especially when involving well-known figures, suggesting a broader discussion on privacy rights and public access to sensitive information.