Betsy Arakawa, a talented concert pianist and the wife of actor Gene Hackman, tragically passed away at the age of 65 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, as confirmed by an autopsy report. The findings noted that her lungs were congested, and she had fluid accumulation in her chest, in addition to mild vascular hardening.
Hantavirus, a rare yet severe illness, is transmitted via droppings from infected rodents. The autopsy, released on a Tuesday, revealed that Arakawa did not show any signs of trauma and tested negative for both COVID-19 and the flu. Moreover, her carbon monoxide levels were normal, and she had caffeine in her system but no alcohol or illicit drugs.
This report came shortly after similar findings were made public regarding Gene Hackman, who was 95 at the time of his death. His passing was primarily attributed to heart disease, coupled with advanced Alzheimer’s and signs of poor nutrition. He tested negative for hantavirus.
Documents from the ongoing investigation detailed Arakawa’s attempts to seek information about flu-like symptoms and breathing techniques through phone calls and internet searches prior to her passing. Investigators also obtained video evidence as part of their inquiry into the circumstances surrounding both fatalities. They conducted interviews with associates and searched the couple’s home for further evidence, including Arakawa’s laptop, soon after their deaths in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
This unfortunate incident sheds light on the dangers of hantavirus and the importance of awareness about its transmission, especially in relation to rodent-infested environments.