Gene Hackman dead at 95: Iconic actor and wife, 63, are found dead with their dog at Santa Fe home. #3

[Izzylizzy]

I know, right? I worked as a caregiver for Alzheimer's (in-home care) patients - I *never* felt comfortable leaving them. and IIRC correctly, I never did.

however, family members were like, 'Hey, if you want to take a break, leave for an hour or two." Like, just leave the patient unattended with advanced Alzheimer's. NOT ON MY WATCH.

Good for you.
It can be like leaving a toddler alone.
It's a dangerous crap shoot.

 

[NuttMegg]

it had reported or had some kind of activity on that day from their initial scan
but i guess further scans at autopsy showed the a fib on 18th
that's why i think he may have forgotten to get take his meds which led to the issue

He may have fallen on the 17th. She said he wasn't dehydrated. But he still could have had the first event on the 17th then like you say on to afib on the 18th. Because he couldn't get up.

 

[priyaya]

I just never thought about it.

My line of work sometimes involves cleaning/santizing things. i used to live in Colorado when i first started out which is how i found out and was aware of hantavirus.
you need a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter in the bag and the exhaust and then you have to wear a mask, gloves and goggles to open the bag, seal and dispose of it.

 

[Izzylizzy]

HIPAA Laws generally do not apply when someone is deceased.

So if BA had called a doctor and/or saw one when she was getting sick and getting worse we may eventually find that out?

 

[tomstrees]

I had one of the "lightning in a box ozone" generators when I lived on a busy street corner over a garage which smelled, we later found a dead racoon there, the low rent was why I tolerated that; they do help somewhat but there is no substitute for a good physical location known for good air. I'd think that Betsy would have done everything normal to make their living situation as healthy as possible, but just was not aware of this risk or airborne particles that threatened her life.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

I've known about Hantavirus at least since that Mammoth Lakes death in the early 90s. Largely because I've lived in remote/rural/arid areas where it can occur.

My understanding is that it generally comes from OLD droppings, since it has to be dried enough to aerosolize to be breathed in.

So, although I'm not a user of bleach, I nevertheless bought some decades ago when I bought an old house and had to clean out areas where mice droppings could have been sitting for years.

But just today, when I had to dispose of a mouse freshly killed in a trap under my house, I wasn't especially worried. I did wear a mask and gloves, probably largely because of having just watched the press conference here. But a freshly killed mouse, or recently laid droppings, are not as risky as old ones, since they won't be dried enough to put particles into the air. At least that's always been my understanding.

 

[Bounceycat]

Two things I can't stop thinking about:

1. If his ALZ was so advanced, it wouldnt have been safe for her to leave him alone to go into town to run errands.

2. Some are speculating that though her email activity ceased on the 11th, she was alive but sick for a few days after that. In my opinion, investigators would have looked for evidence of that, such as a "nest" set up on the couch or in a bedroom, with OTC meds, fluids, a thermometer, etc nearby.

 

[PaulaDC]

Also Hantavirus usually happens from interaction with outdoors.
even your shoes coming inside would track in traces

Would dog paws?

 

[JTribley]

My wife has Altz. and I’m her caregiver. The burden is so hard, like you said. Plus, I’m 85 and on oxygen for a fatal lung disease.

So sorry, sending lots of positive thoughts and strength to you.

 

[priyaya]

Would dog paws?

yes

 

[nhmemorymaker]

We have Sprouts stores here, too, and the full name is “Sprouts Farmers Market”, so that may be where the confusion comes from.

yes it is!

 

[priyaya]

Funny how his kids thought he was in excellent health
which to me just goes to show they had no idea how bad it was

 

[LittleSeaTree]

Questions:
Did her email on 2/11 with massage therapist mention feeling under the weather?
What did she get at CVS pharmacy?
She could have been exposed - as others said - maybe getting the crate from a shed where the mice were - and then started feeling sick.
They said she was wearing a mask while running her errands on 2/11 so could have had a cough or other symptoms.
If she felt lousy, could have stayed off of her phone or computer but it seems this hantavirus could have knocked her out given the few days of potential exposure - all speculation of course.
Hard to think of poor Gene not knowing what had happened? Did he feed the dogs? Did he eat some food? They said he wasn't dehydrated so must have had some capacity.
Makes me so sad,

Definitely so curious what the emails entailed. Someone probably mentioned, but this is moving so quickly, apologies if I’m too far behind!

 

[formerreddingrunner]

"Confused, scared, and hallucinating, she was hospitalized."

Wow, really good video about hantavirus above. It sounds like people who contract the virus may not be able to get care for themselves.

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson


Sheriff: The dog, Zinna, had a procedure at the vet which is why she was in the crate.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898118294147940596

 

[nhmemorymaker]

The CDC (God Bless it) says hantavirus "usually starts to show 1 to 8 weeks after contact with an infected rodent.” And then "Four to 10 days after the initial phase of illness, the late symptoms of HPS [Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome] appear.” This would mean Betsy would have been infected in January. So she would have been carrying and dealing with symptoms for a while. Poor woman. So concerned about Gene and possibly dismissing her own illness...

such truth in your final statement......

 

[Izzylizzy]

My wife has Altz. and I’m her caregiver. The burden is so hard, like you said. Plus, I’m 85 and on oxygen for a fatal lung disease.

Hopefully you have some help and also know just how important it is that your health isn't compromised by all you do for your wife.
And please don't be a martyr so reach out whenever needed.
There's much good to be said for those that can remain at home and their loved ones who care for them.

 

[Cat4]

This really hurts. My heart breaks for this couple and their dogs. What a sad ending to their lives. I’m dumbfounded that their family did not stay in contact with them.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

it had reported or had some kind of activity on that day from their initial scan
but i guess further scans at autopsy showed the a fib on 18th
that's why i think he may have forgotten to get take his meds which led to the issue

Honestly, even mild cognitive impairment prevents taking meds appropriately.
My guess is that his routine med taking was all helter skelter from the 11th on.....

 

[priyaya]

Definitely so curious what the emails entailed. Someone probably mentioned, but this is moving so quickly, apologies if I’m too far behind!

they didnt say. just that the last outgoing email was to massage therapist and on the 11th there were many unopened messages