Gene Hackman's death 'was preventable had the right measures been taken'
The deaths of
Gene Hackman
and Betsy Arakawa may have been preventable if they had taken better steps to rid an infestation in their home.
The Oscar winner and his wife died in their Santa Fe home in February, by what were at first mysterious causes. Investigators later determined
Hackman died a week after his wife
from severe heart disease, as well as complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a disease spread
through rodent droppings
. A health report found that dead rodents were
scattered across their property
, likely leading to her illness and eventual death.
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A source told
Radar Online
that traps found throughout the property revealed someone was attempting to get rid of an infestation.
The source said: 'It's terribly tragic because it shows that they didn't go far enough in combating it. It also means their deaths probably were preventable had the right measures been taken.'
While there weren't dead rats found in the main building, they were found in eight of the outposts on the property. The health assessment called the area a "breeding ground' for HPS.
Dead rodents were found on the property
(Image: AP)
Two vehicles on the property also showed signs of rodent activity. Rodent feces were discovered in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds on their land. One live rodent, one dead rodent, and a rodent nest were found in three of the detached garages.
HPS symptoms include flu-like illness, headaches, dizziness and severe respiratory distress. Gene's wife reached out to a medical concierge on February 12, a day prior to her confirmed death.
Arkawa was Hackman's primary caregiver in his advanced state of Alzheimer's. Investigators determined he was likely unable to comprehend her death due to his cognitive condition, which is why he didn't call for help.
His heart pills were found scattered on the county, and an autopsy showed he had no food in his stomach.
They were finally laid to rest two months after their death. They were buried in a private ceremony in New Mexico.
They were laid to rest two months after they were found
(Image: AP)
Gene appeared in a broad range of movie roles dating back to 1961, when he debuted in Mad Dog Coll. His roles included playing the arch nemesis Lex Luthor in the Superman movies and a coach finding redemption in the sentimental favorite Hoosiers.
He was a five-time Oscar nominee who won best actor in a leading role for The French Connection in 1972 and best actor in a supporting role for Unforgiven two decades later. He retired in the early 2000s and lived a quiet life in New Mexico.
Betsy was born in Hawaii in December 1959 and grew up in Honolulu. She studied piano and, as an 11-year-old sixth grader, performed in youth concerts in front of thousands of students at the Honolulu International Center Concert Hall, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported in 1971.
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Gene Hackman's death 'was preventable had the right measures been taken'
The deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa may have been preventable if they had taken better steps to rid an infestation in their home. The Oscar winner and his wife died in their Santa Fe home in February, by what were at first mysterious causes. Investigators later determined Hackman died a week after his wife from severe heart disease, as well as complications from Alzheimer's disease. Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a disease spread through rodent droppings . A health report found that dead rodents were scattered across their property , likely leading to her illness and eventual death. Read More Related Articles Jenna Bush Hager left in tears over emotional dedication involving career move Read More Related Articles Donald Trump and Melania slammed as they're caught chatting and smiling at Pope Francis' funeral A source told Radar Online that traps found throughout the property revealed someone was attempting to get rid of an infestation. The source said: 'It's terribly tragic because it shows that they didn't go far enough in combating it. It also means their deaths probably were preventable had the right measures been taken.' While there weren't dead rats found in the main building, they were found in eight of the outposts on the property. The health assessment called the area a "breeding ground' for HPS. Dead rodents were found on the property (Image: AP) Two vehicles on the property also showed signs of rodent activity. Rodent feces were discovered in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds on their land. One live rodent, one dead rodent, and a rodent nest were found in three of the detached garages. HPS symptoms include flu-like illness, headaches, dizziness and severe respiratory distress. Gene's wife reached out to a medical concierge on February 12, a day prior to her confirmed death. Arkawa was Hackman's primary caregiver in his advanced state of Alzheimer's. Investigators determined he was likely unable to comprehend her death due to his cognitive condition, which is why he didn't call for help. His heart pills were found scattered on the county, and an autopsy showed he had no food in his stomach. They were finally laid to rest two months after their death. They were buried in a private ceremony in New Mexico. They were laid to rest two months after they were found (Image: AP) Gene appeared in a broad range of movie roles dating back to 1961, when he debuted in Mad Dog Coll. His roles included playing the arch nemesis Lex Luthor in the Superman movies and a coach finding redemption in the sentimental favorite Hoosiers. He was a five-time Oscar nominee who won best actor in a leading role for The French Connection in 1972 and best actor in a supporting role for Unforgiven two decades later. He retired in the early 2000s and lived a quiet life in New Mexico. Betsy was born in Hawaii in December 1959 and grew up in Honolulu. She studied piano and, as an 11-year-old sixth grader, performed in youth concerts in front of thousands of students at the Honolulu International Center Concert Hall, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported in 1971. For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
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