The tragic deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were found deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home in February 2025 stunned the world. Betsy Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) around February 11, and Gene Hackman died of heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor, around February 18.
Perhaps the most concerning information about their passing is that their bodies were not discovered until February 26, over a week after Hackman’s death and two weeks after Arakawa’s. Although HPS has a high mortality rate of 30%-50%, it should come as no surprise that early intervention can help improve these odds.
Had Hackman been wearing a dementia tracking watch, like Perfect Alert, external relatives or carers could have been made aware of his plight before it was too late. Other sensors could also have played a part in helping the couple survive, which is what we’re going to look at in the rest of this article.
Health Monitoring Sensors
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How it works: Wearable IoT (Internet of Things) devices (e.g., smartwatches or medical alert bracelets) could have monitored vital signs like heart rate, blood oxygen levels, or irregular rhythms (e.g., atrial fibrillation, which Hackman experienced). These devices could also detect falls or prolonged inactivity.
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Prevention potential: For Betsy Arakawa, a sensor might have detected early symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (e.g., rapid breathing or low oxygen levels) and alerted emergency services or a caregiver. For Gene Hackman, his pacemaker data showed his heart stopped on February 18, but a connected IoT device could have sent real-time alerts about his atrial fibrillation or heart failure to medical professionals days earlier, possibly prompting intervention. Given his advanced Alzheimer’s, he may not have been able to seek help himself after his wife’s death.
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Outcome: Earlier medical response could have saved one or both lives, or at least ensured Hackman wasn’t alone for days after Arakawa’s death.
Motion or Presence Sensors
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How it works: IoT motion sensors placed around the home could track movement patterns. A lack of activity over a set period (e.g., 24 hours) could trigger an alert to family, neighbors, or authorities.
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Prevention potential: The couple’s bodies showed signs of decomposition, suggesting they were undiscovered for days or even weeks. Motion sensors could have flagged the absence of movement after Arakawa’s death on February 11, prompting a welfare check before Hackman died on February 18. This might have saved Hackman or at least spared their crated dog from dying of neglect.
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Outcome: Faster discovery could have led to timely intervention or prevented secondary consequences like the dog’s death.
Environmental Sensors (Air Quality)
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How it works: IoT air quality sensors could monitor for hantavirus-carrying rodent activity indirectly by detecting changes in air particulates or humidity levels associated with rodent infestations. While carbon monoxide was ruled out, such sensors could also detect other hazardous gases.
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Prevention potential: Betsy Arakawa’s hantavirus infection likely came from rodent droppings in or near their home. Early detection of environmental risks might have prompted cleaning or pest control, reducing her exposure risk. Though hantavirus isn’t directly detectable by air sensors, correlated conditions (e.g., poor ventilation or dust) could raise red flags.
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Outcome: Preventive action might have avoided Arakawa’s infection, altering the chain of events.
Smart Home Alerts (Door and Pet Monitoring)
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How it works: IoT-enabled door sensors or pet cameras could monitor activity, such as whether doors were left open (as found by maintenance workers) or if pets were unattended. A smart pet feeder or water sensor could detect if the crated dog was neglected.
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Prevention potential: After Arakawa’s death, Hackman’s Alzheimer’s may have impaired his ability to care for himself or their dogs. A door sensor could have alerted someone to an unsecured home, and pet sensors might have signaled the crated dog’s distress, prompting a check-in before Hackman’s death.
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Outcome: Earlier human response could have saved Hackman and the dog, even if Arakawa’s death was unavoidable.
Limitations and Realism
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Hantavirus: Arakawa’s illness progressed rapidly, and even with sensors, rural medical response might not have been fast enough. Hantavirus is rare and hard to predict without specific rodent monitoring, which isn’t a common IoT feature yet.
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Hackman’s Condition: His Alzheimer’s and heart disease were advanced, so sensors might only have delayed the inevitable unless constant caregiving was in place. His pacemaker wasn’t IoT-enabled for real-time alerts, a gap in current technology for many patients.
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Adoption: The couple’s reclusive lifestyle suggests they might not have embraced IoT solutions, and their home lacked security cameras, indicating a preference for privacy over technology.
Conclusion
Simple IoT sensors, like health wearables, motion detectors, air quality monitors, or smart home devices, could have provided critical early warnings, potentially saving Gene Hackman by alerting others after Betsy Arakawa’s death, and certainly preventing the prolonged isolation and the dog’s demise. While they couldn’t have directly prevented Arakawa’s hantavirus infection without specific rodent-focused tech, they might have broken the tragic sequence by ensuring faster human intervention. For an elderly, private couple in a remote area, such systems could bridge the gap between independence and safety.
