Ms. Arakawa, the wife of the actor Gene Hackman, died from the effects of a disease often caused by contact with droppings from infected rodents.

Weeks after two-time Oscar winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead in mysterious circumstances, it has been revealed that the latter died from a rare serious viral disease called Hantavirus.

The two-time Oscar winner’s will reportedly does not name his three children, Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie.

Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their New Mexico home. Arakawa succumbed to hantavirus, while Hackman died from heart conditions after living in isolation for a week. Authorities confirmed no emergency calls were made,

Gene Hackman died of cardiovascular disease about a week after his wife died of hantavirus, according to the New Mexico medical examiner.

Betsy Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome at the age of 65, New Mexico health authorities said. Here’s what to know about the rare but deadly disease.

Investigation revealed that Betsy Arakawa, a pianist and wife of actor Gene Hackman, had died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare infectious disease.

Betsy Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-spread disease with a mortality rate up to 50% in the American Southwest, officials said.

Betsy Arakawa, a classical pianist and the wife of actor Gene Hackman, died of hantavirus, according to authorities.

Hantavirus comes from contact with rodents — such as rats and mice — especially after exposure to their urine, droppings, and saliva.