Gene Hackman‘s wife Betsy Arakawa was searching the internet for information on flu-like symptoms and breathing techniques days before her tragic death.
Arakawa, 65, died in February of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — a rare, rodent-borne disease that can led to a range of symptoms that include flu-like illness, headaches, dizziness and severe respiratory distress, investigators have said.
Hackman, 95, is believed to have died about a week later of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s disease. It’s possible the Oscar-winner did not realize his wife and sole caretaker had died, given his severe health conditions at the time of her death.
The partially mummified remains of the couple were found in their Santa Fe home on February 26, when maintenance and security workers showed up at the home and alerted police.
A review of the open bookmarks on Arakawa’s computer on February 8 and the morning of February 12 indicated she was actively researching medical conditions related to COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms.
The searches included questions about whether COVID could cause dizziness or nosebleeds, suggesting Arakawa was concerned about her deadly symptoms.
She also had mentioned in an email to her masseuse that Hackman had woken up Feb. 11 with flu or cold-like symptoms but that a COVID test was negative and she would have to reschedule her appointment for the next day ‘out of an abundance of caution.’
Hollywood royalty Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa are seen months before their death
Authorities have released law enforcement body camera footage from outside the home of Gene Hackman, where the actor and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in late February. The outhouses were infested with rodents, TMZ reported
Arakawa’s last search was the morning of February 12 for a health care provider in Santa Fe.
Investigators also reviewed a call history to the Hackmans’ home phone along with voicemails and security footage from stores that Arakawa had visited on February 11.
Authorities also are expected to release more redacted police body camera footage from inside the home as sheriff’s deputies and investigators tried to piece together what had happened to the couple.
The materials were being released as the result of a recent court order that mandated any depictions of the deceased couple would have to be blocked from view. All photos, video and documents from the investigation had been restricted from release by an earlier, temporary court order.
The Hackman estate and family members had sought to keep the records sealed to protect the family’s constitutional right to privacy.
A report obtained from the New Mexico Department of Health showed an environmental assessment of the Hackman property found rodent feces in several outbuildings but not inside the living quarters. A live rodent, dead rodent and a rodent nest were found in three detached garages.
The department concluded that dead rodents and their nests were found in ‘eight detached outbuildings’ on the Hackman property making it a ‘breeding ground’ for the hantavirus.
Just over two months after actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their New Mexico home, more details are coming in
There were also two vehicles seen on the estate that had evidence of rodents, and they even found traps in the buildings as well, suggesting this had been an ongoing issue for the Hackmans.
The health assessment was conducted to assess whether first responders or others who were on the property were safe from the virus.
The results revealed that the primary residence was deemed ‘low-risk’ with no signs of a rodent infestation inside.
The hantavirus was first identified in South Korea in 1978 when researchers isolated the virus from a field mouse.
The virus is rare in the US, with fewer than 50 cases reported yearly. For reference, there are roughly 2,000 cases of West Nile Virus reported in the US annually.
