The mysterious substance that killed 3 in a New Mexico home has been identified as fentanyl
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Authorities on Friday identified the mysterious drug that hospitalized more than a dozen people after responding to a New Mexico home where three people died in a suspected overdose.
Officials said first responders found fentanyl after arriving at a home in Mountainair, New Mexico, where four people were found unresponsive.
Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the third died at the University of New Mexico Hospital. A fourth person survived.
“Preliminary findings indicate that this incident is related to exposure to an opioid powder in the home, and analysis at the scene by the DEA has confirmed the presence of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and para-fluorofentanyl, also called P4 fentanyl,” said New Mexico State Police Chief Matt Broom during a news conference.
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New Mexico State Police responded to a home in Mountainair, NM, where authorities say several people died on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, and more than a dozen first responders found an unknown object and were later treated at a hospital. (Savannah Peters/AP Photo)
“It’s an illegal form or version of fentanyl,” he added.
Authorities said the drugs were found in powder form.
Officials said 25 people were exposed to the drug, 20 were hospitalized before being released.
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New Mexico State Police Chief Matt Broom, center, provides updates during a news conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Friday, May 22, 2026, regarding the investigation into the deaths of three people in Torrance County and possible fentanyl exposure to first responders who responded to the call. (Susan Montoya Bryan/AP Photo)
Two people were hospitalized after arriving in critical condition, police said.
Authorities identified two of the dead as Micah Rascon, 51, and Georgia Rascon, 49.
Both the survivor and one of the dead were given the overdose drug Narcan.
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A New Mexico State Police vehicle closes a neighborhood in Mountainair, NM, where authorities say several people died Wednesday, May 20, 2026, and more than a dozen first responders found an unknown object and were later treated at a hospital. (Savannah Peters/AP Photo)
Authorities said most of the first responders started experiencing symptoms including nausea and dizziness.
“These men and women responded to a dangerous situation while trying to protect lives and secure the scene,” said Broom. “We see mostly first responders who get sick while doing their job.”
Torrance County Fire Chief, Gary Smith, said firefighters did not enter the house wearing hazmat protection because the situation did not seem to warrant it.
He added that officials will review response procedures moving forward.
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A hazardous materials team is investigating the site of the chemical exposure during the ongoing investigation. (KRQE)
“I mean, we’re as good as our last call, right?” Smith said. “There’s going to be a lot of discussions that we’re going to do in the next week or two to find out where our strengths are and where our weaknesses are.”
The incident is still under investigation.
