Officials Confirm Source of Ricin Found in Hastings
Health officials recently announced that a a resident of Hastings, Michigan, was hospitalized after ricin exposure. Authorities say they have contained the source of the ricin inside an apartment.
Ricin Found in Hastings Apartment
On September 11, 2026, the Barry-Eaton District Health Department announced that a resident of the Tyden Lofts apartments had been isolated at Corewell Health Pennock Hospital following possible exposure to ricin. Health officials have now confirmed that the resident was exposed to ricin.
Health department officials instructed residents of nearby apartments to evacuate and undergo testing for possible exposure while investigators work to identify the source of the ricin exposure.
Read More: Hastings Ricin Scare Prompts Urgent Apartment Evacuation
Authorities Say Ricin Source Has Been Found in Hastings
Residents previously evacuated from the Tyden Lofts have been permitted to return to their homes, though portions of the building remain restricted and physically blocked off. The evacuation was prompted by authorities who discovered castor beans inside a first-floor apartment.
WOOD TV8 reported that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said first responders discovered crushed castor beans inside the apartment. Castor beans contain ricin, a highly toxic substance that can be released when the seeds are processed. Exposure to ricin can be dangerous if it is inhaled, swallowed, or injected. There is no specific antidote for ricin poisoning, making prompt medical treatment and supportive care critical following exposure.
The individual exposed to ricin remains hospitalized in isolation, though health officials have not released any additional information about their current condition. Twenty-one other residents were tested for ricin exposure, and all test results came back negative.
The FBI is leading the investigation but has not commented on why the castor beans were crushed or released the identity of the person who was exposed.
At this time, officials say there is no known threat to the Hastings community and residents are considered safe from potential exposure.
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Gallery Credit: Scott Clow
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