In a tragic sequence of events, Betsy Arakawa, the wife of renowned actor Gene Hackman, passed away due to hantavirus, with Hackman following a week later due to health complications.
The New York Post reported that it all began around February 8, when Betsy Arakawa, aware of her illness, searched for COVID symptoms online. Her search history revealed inquiries about symptoms like nosebleeds and dizziness.
Suspecting a possible COVID-19 infection, she also considered seeking medical care for her ailing husband, Gene Hackman, who was battling advanced Alzheimer's disease and heart disease at the time.
However, Arakawa's condition worsened, leading her to delay a crucial medical appointment. Instead, she administered a COVID-19 test to her husband.
The test came back negative. In a bid to mitigate the situation, Arakawa purchased Boost Oxygen canisters, perhaps to help with breathing, a common issue in many respiratory illnesses.
During these critical days, Arakawa continued to explore healthcare options. On February 12, she searched for healthcare providers in Santa Fe. Sadly, this would be her final activity online.
Evidence indicating a grave concern regarding COVID-19 was later found in the couple's trash, which included discarded packaging for the oxygen canisters and other medical supplies.
Meanwhile, Arakawa had been in communication with her healthcare providers and others involved in her and her spouse's care. She emailed her masseuse asking advice on whether it was advisable to seek outside medical help for Hackman.
The timeline of these tragic events became clearer after investigators reviewed call logs, voicemails, and security footage from where Arakawa had been in the days leading up to her demise. All this effort painted a picture of a woman trying to manage her deteriorating health while concerned for her husband.
The situation took a somber turn when local police revised their initial timeline of events based on new evidence. This evidence led to an investigation that concluded Betsy Arakawa had succumbed to hantavirus, a rare respiratory virus contracted from exposure to infected rodents, rather than COVID-19 as initially feared.
This revelation came too late for the couple, who were both found deceased in their home. Authorities declared that Gene Hackman died around February 17 or 18, about a week after his wife's passing, from complications related to his pre-existing health conditions.
The community was further shaken when details and photos of the interior of Hackman and Arakawa's home were released by the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office, though a judge later ruled that photos of their bodies would not be made public.
The fate of the couple's surviving dogs was disclosed later, a small but poignant detail that reminded many of the personal lives behind the public figures.
The news of Betsy Arakawa's active search for COVID symptoms and her eventual death from hantavirus has raised awareness about the symptoms and treatment of different respiratory diseases, illustrating how initial symptoms can confuse even the most vigilant individuals.
As the community remembers Gene Hackman, an iconic figure in American cinema, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, their tragic end sheds light on the importance of timely medical intervention and the unpredictable nature of health crises.
Their story, marked by confusion, concern, and eventual loss, serves as a sobering reminder of our vulnerabilities, regardless of status or fame.