Betsy Arakawa died from hantavirus days before her husband, actor Gene Hackman, died of heart disease, New Mexico officials said.

Betsy Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, and the Oscar-winning actor, who was in poor health with advanced Alzheimer’s disease, died seven days later, officials said.

Gene Hackman​ died of heart disease and Betsy Arakawa's cause of death was hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, officials said.

The virus can cause a severe and sometimes deadly lung infection called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home last week in a gated community in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Worries about hantavirus are spreading online after news broke that the late Gene Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa, had passed away from the rare virus.

Gene Hackman's wife Betsy Arakawa died from a rare infection spread by mice. Are there any cases or risk in Oklahoma? Here's what to know.

New Mexico health officials have announced that Betsy Arakawa, a classical pianist, businesswoman, and wife of renowned actor Gene Hackman, died from a rare disease known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).

Actor Gene Hackman died of natural causes, New Mexico’s chief medical examiner said today. His wife, Betsy Arakawa, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and likely passed before her husband. Follow for live news updates.