Fentanyl, Meth Discovered at Rural New Mexico Home Where 3 People Were Found Dead

Authorities identified two of the victims but have not yet determined a cause of death.

Workers remove a body after three people were found dead and more than a dozen first responders were exposed to an unknown substance in Mountainair, N.M., on May 20, 2026. Savannah Peters/AP Photo

Fentanyl and methamphetamine were found at a home in rural New Mexico where three people were discovered dead this week and crews responding to a suspected overdose became sick, authorities said Friday.

Authorities in Mountainair, a town of less than 1,000 south of Albuquerque, were working “under the assumption” that fentanyl was to blame. First responders’ symptoms ranged from mild to severe, University of New Mexico Hospital Chief Medical Officer Steve McLaughlin said at a news conference.