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.

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.

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,

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

Betsy Arakawa — the classical pianist married to Gene Hackman — died last month of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare infectious disease linked to rodents, New Mexico authorities announced Friday.

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

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

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.

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