Three more people have died from the same rare virus that killed Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa, raising serious concerns among health officials about the unusual timing and mysterious source of these deadly infections.
Key Takeaways
- Three new deaths from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome have occurred in Mammoth Lakes, California, the same rare disease that killed Betsy Arakawa in February 2024.
- Gene Hackman died approximately a week after his wife from heart disease complicated by Alzheimer’s, not from the virus.
- Health officials are concerned about the timing of these cases, as hantavirus infections typically occur in late spring or summer, not early in the year.
- The source of infection remains unclear in some cases, as there was no evidence of rodent infestation in at least one of the recent fatalities.
- Hantavirus is transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva and has a mortality rate of approximately one-third.
The Hackman Tragedy
In February 2024, the entertainment world was shocked when iconic actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home. Medical investigators later determined that Arakawa had succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but deadly virus transmitted through contact with infected rodents. Hackman, who had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, died approximately a week later from cardiovascular disease, likely exacerbated by his underlying condition and the stress of his wife’s passing.
According to police reports, Arakawa was discovered on the bathroom floor of their Santa Fe residence. She had last been seen in public on February 11, running errands including a visit to a local CVS Pharmacy. During the week between her death and his own, Hackman made no phone calls for help, possibly due to his cognitive impairment. Investigators are still examining evidence, including the couple’s cellphones and conducting a necropsy on one of their dogs.
🇺🇸 RARE VIRUS KILLS 3 IN CALI TOWN—INCLUDING GENE HACKMAN'S WIFE
A third person has died from hantavirus in Mammoth Lakes, California—bringing the death toll to three since February.
The virus, usually spread through mouse droppings and urine, killed Gene Hackman’s wife earlier… https://t.co/DJq2lPipw7 pic.twitter.com/nDkmZMNIxn
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 5, 2025
New Fatal Cases Emerge
In a concerning development, three more people have died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Mammoth Lakes, a rural town in Mono County, California. The county has historically recorded the highest number of hantavirus cases in California, with 27 cases since 1993. However, health officials are particularly alarmed about these recent deaths because they occurred unusually early in the year and in rapid succession.
“The occurrence of three cases in a short period has me worried, especially this early in the year,” said Dr. Tom Boo, Mono County Public Health Officer. “A third case of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), each of which has been fatal, is tragic and alarming. We don’t have a clear sense of where this young adult may have contracted the virus.”
While one case was likely due to vacuuming rodent waste during a known infestation, the source of infection remains unclear in the latest death. This mystery has intensified public health concerns, as typical transmission occurs through contact with feces, urine, or saliva of infected mice, often by inhaling contaminated air particles. The lack of evidence regarding rodent exposure in this case raises questions about potential alternative transmission routes.
Understanding the Deadly Virus
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is primarily carried by deer mice and causes initial symptoms resembling the flu: fever, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. As the disease progresses, victims develop more severe respiratory symptoms including shortness of breath and coughing. The virus is rare but deadly serious, with only 20 to 50 cases reported annually across the United States, but carrying a mortality rate of approximately one-third of those infected.
“It’s a pretty horrific progression,” noted Greg Mertz, a medical professional familiar with the disease. The Mono County Public Health Department described the appearance of these cases so early in the year as “strikingly unusual,” since hantavirus infections typically occur in late spring or summer.
The deaths have prompted increased public health messaging about prevention measures. Health authorities advise residents in affected areas to seal homes against rodents, clean up potential food sources, trap mice when present, and use protective equipment when cleaning areas with potential rodent droppings. President Trump has directed federal health agencies to provide support to local authorities as they work to understand and contain the outbreak.
A Community in Mourning
The Santa Fe community where Hackman and Arakawa lived remains in shock over their deaths. Despite their celebrity status, the couple had lived relatively quietly in New Mexico. Arakawa was particularly known for her devotion to her dogs, making regular visits to Gruda Veterinary Hospital. “She was devoted to those dogs,” said Robert Gruda, who knew the couple through these visits. The legal team representing Hackman’s estate is working “to protect Gene and Betsy’s property, including photographs and videos of their dead bodies” from public release.
Sources:
- Ultra-rare virus linked to Gene Hackman’s death kills 3 more as health officials issue dire warning – The Mirror
- A mask, a cane and a frantic dog: Inside the final hours of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa
- 3 dead from same rare virus that killed Gene Hackman’s wife — sparking alarm among health officials
