The rare but deadly illness, which spreads through contact with infected rodents, has also claimed three lives in California ’s Mammoth Lakes area in recent months.
Heather Jarrell, the state’s top medical examiner, confirmed Friday, March 7, that Betsy’s cause of death was HPS, a disease caused by hantavirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), humans can catch the virus by inhaling dust that contains rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. Though uncommon, the virus can also spread through rodent bites.
Betsy and Gene Hackman were found dead in their New Mexico home on February 26. Investigators now believe Betsy died on or shortly after February 12, the day she contacted a medical concierge service. Gene, 94, is believed to have passed away days later, likely on February 18. Jarrell noted that the last activity recorded by his pacemaker occurred on February 17…