A health report has revealed that Gene Hackman’s property in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was a breeding ground for hantavirus. Eight detached outbuildings were found to be infested with dead rodents and their nests, posing a significant risk to those who visited the property.
An environmental assessment conducted by the New Mexico Department of Public Health in March found rodent feces in garages, casitas, sheds, and even two vehicles on the property. Investigators also set up live traps, indicating an ongoing infestation.
The report is particularly concerning given that Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) last year. The New Mexico Department of Health conducted a risk assessment to ensure first responders and family members who visited the property were safe, finding it to be low-risk inside the primary residence.
The recent deaths of three people in northern California’s Mammoth Lakes due to hantavirus have raised concerns about the spread of the disease. Hackman died from heart disease and advanced Alzheimer’s disease, unrelated to hantavirus, but his property remains a potential risk zone.
Source: https://www.tmz.com/2025/04/14/gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa-house-riddled-with-dead-rodents-nests-hantavirus