Authorities say hantavirus is blamed in the death of Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa. The rare virus is spread by contact with rodents or their urine or feces.

Gene Hackman died of cardiovascular disease about a week after his wife died of hantavirus, according to the New Mexico medical examiner.

Leslie Anne Allen, Hackman’s daughter whom he shared with his late ex-wife Faye Maltese, has said of her father’s marriage to Arakawa, “They had a wonderful marriage. And I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive.”