Betsy Arakawa researched COVID-19 days before the deaths of her husband, Gene Hackman.
The recent tragic deaths of Betsy Arakawa and her husband, renowned actor Gene Hackman, have raised significant health concerns and investigations into potential communicable diseases. According to a report from New Mexico officials obtained by Media News Source, Arakawa, aged 65, expressed worries that her 95-year-old husband was exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms just prior to his death from heart disease in mid-February.
Investigators uncovered that shortly before her passing, Arakawa actively sought information online about COVID-19 and its symptoms, such as dizziness and nosebleeds. Notably, she reached out to an acquaintance via email on February 11, indicating that Hackman awoke that day with flu-like symptoms despite testing negative for the virus. This timeline has raised questions regarding the couple’s health during their final days.
On the same day as her email correspondence, records indicate that Arakawa purchased Boost Oxygen canisters, potentially in response to her and Hackman’s respiratory concerns. In a notable public sighting, she was seen shopping at a local CVS on February 11 while wearing a mask, highlighting growing unease around their health.
While a medical examiner confirmed that Gene Hackman succumbed to advanced heart disease compounded by Alzheimer’s, authorities believe Arakawa’s death occurred slightly earlier, on February 12, due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. This serious infectious disease, which can present symptoms resembling those of COVID-19, is primarily contracted through exposure to rodent droppings. Symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches have been reported in hantavirus cases, an aspect that has drawn concern given the overlapping nature of its symptoms with COVID-19.
Further investigations into the couple’s Santa Fe residence revealed signs of rodent infestation, further substantiating suspicions regarding the potential source of Arakawa’s illness. The couple’s bodies were discovered by first responders on February 26, igniting a response from health officials who emphasized the importance of awareness regarding hantavirus and its transmission routes, particularly for those residing in areas where rodent populations are prevalent.
As the details of this case unfold, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing health challenges posed by infectious diseases, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly. The heartbreaking circumstances surrounding the deaths of Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman underscore the necessity for continued vigilance and research into respiratory illnesses, especially as the world navigates the complexities of public health amid the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
