New Mexico Department of Public Health records obtained by CNN revealed findings of dead rodents and rodent nests throughout eight detached outbuildings on late actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s property.
The homesite environmental assessment of the sprawling property was conducted in March, one week after the Hackman and his wife were discovered dead in their home in February.
Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease that humans can contract from contact with rodents, rodent feces, saliva and urine, according to the New Mexico medical investigator’s office. She was 65.
According to the report, rodent feces were found in three garages, two casitas and three sheds. A live rodent, dead rodent and a rodent nest were found in the three detached garages.
The New Mexico Department of health staff conducted the risk assessment on March 5 as part of the death investigation of Hackman and Arakawa to ensure the safety of first responders and family members who had access to the property. The risk of exposure in the primary residence was low, according to New