Press Conference: Ricin Discovery -- No Public Health Danger.

LVMPD Deputy Chief Chris Darcy provides details on the discovery, testing, and containment of a negligible amount of the poisonous substance ricin, discovered in the apartment unit of a man who committed suicide in the 5300 block of Retablo Ave. (Flamingo/Decatur area). The investigation is ongoing, however no health/safety concerns remain at this time.

Here is more from the full press release:

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Chief Christopher Darcy stated during a Wednesday afternoon press conference that a substance found inside of the apartment of a man who died of an apparent suicide was the toxin known as Ricin.
LVMPD Officers, along with Clark County Fire Department officials were first dispatched to the 5300 block of Retablo Avenue on Monday, February 18 where 36-year-old Matthew Friedman was found dead from an apparent suicide. In the apartment, police and Crime Scene Investigators found a suicide note, a hypodermic needle and a spoon with a brown substance that was later confirmed to be heroin. They also found a plastic bag labeled “red castor beans,” the ingredient for making Ricin.
After consulting with the Coroner, it was determined Friedman may have been exposed to a hazardous material, which prompted LVMPD’s ARMOR Unit and the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Emergency Operations Hazardous Materials Team to perform a more directed search. That search turned up a toxic substance that the Center for Disease Control confirmed as a non-aerosol form of Ricin. As a precautionary measure for the public, LVMPD locked down the area around Flamingo, Decatur and Lindell, and asked residents in the complex to shelter in place.
Chief Health Officer Dr. Joe Iser of the Clark County Health District stated that the presence of Ricin was “a very contained exposure.” He underscored there were no further threats to the
public. For more facts about Ricin, please defer to the Southern Nevada Health District FAQ Sheet.
LVMPD’s investigation is still ongoing. Anyone who knew Friedman is asked to please call
(702) 828-7777 with information.
The Clark County Coroner’s Office is due to perform an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of Friedman’s death.

Press Conference: Ricin Discovery -- No Public Health Danger.
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Education	Upload TimePublished on 20 Feb 2019