Gene Hackman death report: Rat nest found near home, Betsy Arakawa researched symptoms of flu-like illness

Authorities have released a lengthy investigation report detailing some of the last emails and internet searches by Gene Hackman’s wife in the days before her death, indicating she was scouring the internet for information on flu-like symptoms and breathing techniques.

Betsy Arakawa died in February of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome - a rare, rodent-borne disease that can lead to a range of symptoms that include flu-like illness, headaches, dizziness and severe respiratory distress, investigators have said.

Hackman, an acclaimed actor, is believed to have died about a week later of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

The partially mummified remains of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found in their Santa Fe home on February 26, when maintenance and security workers showed up at the home and alerted police.

According to the report released on Tuesday, 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.

She also had mentioned in an email to her masseuse that Hackman had woken up February 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”.

Arakawa’s last search was the morning of February 12 for a healthcare provider in Santa Fe.

The discovery of nests and dead rodents on the property have also provided a new link to the reclusive star couple’s deaths.

BBC reported that evidence of rodents were found in eight detached buildings off their Santa Fe home where the pair were found.

The BBC reported from New Mexico Department of Public Health records that found rodent faeces, a live rodent, a dead one and a nest for the animals were discovered in three garages on the property. The report revealed that there were also rodent droppings found in two outbuildings and three sheds.

Rodents had also been sighted in abandoned vehicles and farm machinery on the property

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 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 written report describes them going through rooms of the home and finding nothing out of the ordinary and no signs of forced entry.

A report obtained from the New Mexico Department of Health showed an environmental assessment of the Hackman property found rodent faeces in several outbuildings but not inside the living quarters. A live rodent, dead rodent and a rodent nest were found in three detached garages.

Nestled among the piñon and juniper hills overlooking Santa Fe, the Hackman home is not unlike others in area as mice are common within the surrounding landscape.

One of the couple’s three dogs also was found dead in a crate in a bathroom closet near Arakawa, while two other dogs were found alive. A state veterinary lab tied the dog’s death to dehydration and starvation.