Gene Hackman: Rodent nests found near house where Betsy Arakawa died

The Oscar-winning actor's wife Betsy Arakawa died from a respiratory illness linked to infected rodents.

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New Mexico Department of Public Health records seen by BBC News documented evidence of the animals in eight detached buildings at their home in Santa Fe.

US officials previously confirmed that Ms Arakawa, 65, died from a respiratory illness linked to hantavirus, which can be transmitted by infected rodents.

It is believed she died a week before her husband, 95, who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. Authorities found the deceased couple in their home in February.

An environmental assessment of the property took place on 5 March, a week after they were discovered, as part of the investigation into their deaths.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3evzk5gx0vo

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