Authorities discovered Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman, deceased at their estate, unfolding a tragic mystery.
Investigations into Gene and Betsy Hackman's deaths concluded they died from natural causes, linked to diseases exacerbated by a severe rodent infestation at their home, Fox News reported.
New Mexico authorities reported that the couple lost contact for weeks before they were discovered on February 26. After investigators discovered them, they initiated a criminal investigation, but ongoing findings consistently pointed to natural causes. Authorities released hundreds of photos and extensive reports from their property under court orders to maintain transparency and respect the family's privacy.
Betsy Arakawa Hackman succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory disease transmitted by infected rodents. The couple’s large estate showed signs of significant rodent presence, including deceased rodents, feces, and numerous traps. This heightened the risk of exposure to diseases like hantavirus, which is notably deadly and does not transmit between humans.
Conversely, Gene Hackman passed away due to hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease also contributing to his health decline. The presence of such ailments indicates that both environmental and biological factors played a critical role in the couple's unexpected demise.
Jesse Kesler and Roland Lowe Begay, maintenance workers at the estate, were the first to find Gene and Betsy Hackman. The discovery was distressing, with one of the couple's dogs found guarding Betsy’s body, a poignant scene captured on body camera footage by first responders.
In the days leading up to her unfortunate death, Betsy Hackman was reportedly investigating symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 and flu. Searches for flu-like symptoms and emails to her massage therapist indicated her growing concern over Gene’s health, suggesting he might need a COVID test because of his symptoms.
Dr. Heather Jarrell explained at a March news conference:
This data suggests that Betsy was actively researching medical conditions related to COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to her death.
The couple's distress was silently growing, shadowed by the sprawling infestation and their worsening health conditions. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza stressed the importance of balancing the family's dignity with public transparency. His statements have guided the release of information and ongoing investigations.
The body camera footage from responders shows a somber atmosphere as Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya acknowledges finding Betsy's body almost immediately upon entering their property.
Furthermore, both Gene and Betsy’s bodies showed no signs of external trauma, further corroborating the finding of natural causes.
In addition, the released video footage from the day helped public officials underline the severity of the situation and the natural circumstances surrounding the deaths. Consequently, over 700 images have been made public to ensure comprehensive understanding and documentation of the case.
Ultimately, the story of Gene and Betsy Hackman concludes tragically, enveloped in natural but unfortunate circumstances exacerbated by an environmental hazard. However, their significant contributions to their respective fields and the community's remembrance will outlive the sorrow of their passing.
