Gene Hackman property infested by rats before his death: Report

FILE - Actor Gene Hackman arrives with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, for the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003.
FILE - Actor Gene Hackman arrives with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, for the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003. Photo credit AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File

The world was stunned by news of the mysterious death of esteemed actor Gene Hackman, and new details are making the situation more eerie.

Several media outlets are reporting that rodent feces were found in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds on their Santa Fe property. The New Mexico Department of Public Health also reportedly discovered one living rodent and a dead one in one of the garages.

Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.

Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy, a classical pianist, 65, died seven days apart from each other and days before their bodies were discovered in February. Officials discovered that she died numerous days ahead of him.

Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner, perished from severe heart disease, high blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease while Betsy died of natural causes linked to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. That's caused by hantavirus, which is transmitted via rodent droppings and urine.

People Magazine reported there were no rodents discovered in the home after their death, but they were found across eight other buildings on the property. "There were also rodent sightings in two vehicles, as well as live traps elsewhere on the property," the outlet reported.

Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Featured Image Photo Credit: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File