Records released into deaths of Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa’s deaths

Authorities have released a trove of records related to the deaths of Yine Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, including a lengthy investigation report detailing some of the last emails, phone calls and internet searches by Arakawa indicating that she had been scouring for information on flu-like symptoms and breathing techniques.

Arakawa died in February of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) – a rare, rodent-borne disease. Hackman 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 26 February, when maintenance and security workers showed up at the home and alerted police.

Photos, hours of footage and other documents were made public Tuesday after a recent court order that mandated any depictions of the deceased couple would be blocked from view.

According to the lengthy investigation report, a review of Arakawa’s computer showed she was actively researching medical conditions related to COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms between 8 and 12 February. The searches included questions about whether COVID-19 could cause dizziness or nosebleeds.

She also had mentioned in an email to her massage therapist that Hackman had woken up 11 February with flu or cold-like symptoms but that a COVID-19 test was negative and she would have to reschedule her appointment for the next day “out of an abundance of caution.”

Hackman’s pacemaker showed an abnormal heart rhythm on 18 February – the day he likely died.

An environmental assessment of the Hackman property by state health personnel found rodent feces in several outbuildings along with live traps on the property.

Rat nests and dead rodents were found on the property, but there was no evidence of rodent activity inside the home.

The New Mexico Department of Health said hantaviruses are spread by the saliva, droppings and urine of infected rodents.

HPS is often transmitted through the air when people sweep out sheds or clean closets where mice have been living, or by eating food contaminated with mouse droppings. It is not transmissible from person to person. 

Investigators found one of the couple’s dogs sitting in the bathroom near Arakawa’s body. They then walked to the other side of the house, where Hackman was found dead.

“Two totally separate areas of the house,” an officer comments.

“It’s strange,” another responds.

The officers, worried about a possible gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning, opened doors and windows around the house. Subsequent testing showed there were no leaks.

The footage showed them going through rooms of the home and finding nothing out of the ordinary and no signs of forced entry.

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.