The rare virus that killed Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, has killed multiple more people in California.
Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 26.
Hackman’s body was discovered in the mudroom, while Arakawa was found in the bathroom, surrounded by prescription bottles.
Their partially mummified remains indicated they had been deceased for some time.
A maintenance worker discovered the unlocked home and saw Arakawa’s body. After calling another worker, emergency services were notified. When police arrived, Hackman’s dog led them to the mudroom, where the actor’s body was found.
Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya recalled: “They realized the dog was trying to say, ‘Hey, come over here! Come over here!’” The dog then sat beside Hackman’s body as if guarding him.
A strange twist emerged when Dr. Josiah Child reported that Arakawa had called his clinic on February 12—one day after she was believed to have died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory illness.
“Mrs. Hackman didn’t die on February 11 because she called my clinic on February 12,” Dr. Child told the media. He explained that she had previously inquired about an echocardiogram for Hackman and had scheduled an appointment for herself on February 12 for an unrelated issue. She called the clinic that morning but never arrived.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated on Good Morning America: “This would indicate to me that she was seeking medical advice or medical help and may have not been feeling well.”
Now, three more victims have died from hantavirus in the town of Mammoth Lakes.
Mono County Public Health Officer Dr. Tom Boo, said that he found the cases “tragic and alarming”. He does not understand where they caught the virus.
Following this revelation, authorities altered Arakawa’s death records.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell stated: “It is reasonable to conclude that Ms. Hackman passed away on February 11, as this was the last time she was known to be alive.” However, Dr. Child’s claim of receiving a call from her on February 12 continues to raise questions about the timeline.
Authorities initially suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, but tests ruled it out. The medical examiner, Dr. James Gill, also dismissed the theory of a companion suicide, as the couple was found in separate rooms. Hackman had a pacemaker, and investigators determined he likely died on February 17—the day his pacemaker stopped recording a heartbeat.
Several theories are now being considered:
- Did Hackman suffer a fatal heart attack upon discovering his wife’s death?
- Did Arakawa die first, leading to Hackman’s eventual collapse days later?
- Did Arakawa’s phone call indicate a medical emergency that went unnoticed?
Authorities have stated that “foul play is not suspected as a factor in these deaths at this time.”
The couple lived a quiet life in a gated community, rarely seen by neighbors. Bud Hamilton, a neighbor of 20 years, shared that he had only dined with them once. Another neighbor, James Everett, admitted: “They have a gate, and we have a gate. We’ve never even seen each other.”
Close friends described the couple as becoming increasingly reclusive in recent years. Author Daniel Lenihan hadn’t seen Hackman in years, while Barbara Lenihan, Arakawa’s former business partner, last saw him a year ago.
“We used to spend a lot of time at their house, but it had been a while since they were comfortable having others over,” Barbara said. “People loved to be around them.”
An initial mix-up in the investigation led authorities to report that the couple’s German Shepherd, Bear, had died. However, an animal chiropractor later confirmed Bear was alive. It was Zinna, a 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix, who had perished.
Zinna’s body was found in a bathroom closet near Arakawa’s. An autopsy indicated starvation and dehydration as the cause of death, with no signs of trauma, poison, or infectious disease. The dog’s stomach was empty except for hair and bile.
The two surviving dogs, Bear and Nikita, were taken to a local shelter and are now under care.
Gene Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, was renowned for his iconic roles in The French Connection, Superman, and Unforgiven. After retiring in 2004, he settled in New Mexico with Arakawa and turned his focus to writing novels.
Hackman was married twice—first to Faye Maltese, with whom he had three children, and later to Arakawa, whom he wed in 1991. They had no children together.
His daughter, Elizabeth Hackman, has suggested that toxic fumes might have played a role in their deaths. However, the investigation remains ongoing.
The passing of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa has left Hollywood and their loved ones in mourning.
Rest in peace, Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.