In the high desert of Santa Fe, New Mexico, a grim discovery unfolded.  Two bodies were found in a home, their identities later revealed to be legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa.  It was a shocking turn of events that left the community stunned.

The couple had been living in their gated neighborhood, but Arakawa had not been seen since February 11th.  She was last spotted running errands, visiting a pharmacy, a pet store, and a grocery store.  Her last known communication was an email that day.  She was 65 years old.  Her death was caused by a rare disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.  This disease is spread by infected rodent droppings.  It was the first confirmed case in New Mexico this year.  The disease is more common in the spring and summer, when people are more likely to be near mouse droppings in homes, sheds, or poorly ventilated areas.  It can cause a severe and sometimes deadly lung infection.  The virus is found throughout the world, but most cases in the U. S. have been found in western states.  The dog was found dead in a crate in a bathroom closet near Arakawa.  Dogs do not get sick from hantavirus.  A necropsy will be done on the dog.  The sheriff considers this an open investigation until they receive results of the dog’s necropsy and finish checking into data from personal cellphones retrieved from the home.

Hackman, 95, was found in the home's entryway.  He had been suffering from advanced Alzheimer's disease and significant heart disease.  His pacemaker showed an abnormal heart rhythm on February 18th, the day he likely died.  It is believed that he was unaware of his wife's death due to his severe impairment.  He was unable to deal with her death or seek help.  He was in a very poor state of health.  It is quite possible he was not aware she was deceased.  Both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes.  The couple’s cellphone communications have not yet been analyzed.  The bodies were decomposing with some mummification, a consequence of body type and climate in Santa Fe’s especially dry air at an elevation of nearly 7, 200 feet.  The revelations about the manner of the couple’s deaths jolted Santa Fe, the state capital city known as a refuge for celebrities, artists and authors.

Hackman was a Hollywood icon.  He won two Oscars during a storied career in films including "The French Connection, " "Hoosiers" and "Superman" from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.  He dedicated much of his time in retirement to painting and writing novels far from Hollywood's social circuit.  He served for several years on the board of trustees at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, and he and Arakawa were investors in local businesses.  Arakawa, born in Hawaii, studied as a concert pianist, attended the University of Southern California and met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a California gym.

The community is left to grapple with the tragic events.  Many are left wondering if they could have done more to help the couple.  It is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease.  Most older Americans with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias live at home, and many receive care from family or friends.  It is a difficult task, and it is important to remember that it is okay to ask for help.  It is also important to remember that it is okay to not know everything.  It is okay to not have all the answers.  It is okay to be human.  It is okay to make mistakes.  It is okay to learn from them.  It is okay to grow.  It is okay to change.  It is okay to be different.  It is okay to be yourself.  It is okay to be unique.  It is okay to be you.

A Tragic Discovery in Santa Fe

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