Inyo-Mono Public Health Officer Dr. Rick Johnson has confirmed that the man who worked for Bodie State Park who died late last week was in fact a victim of Hantavirus.

Hantavirus victim, Laird Johnson, reportedly worked at the front desk of the Bodie Visitor’s Center.

Dr. Johnson said that he received word that tests performed by both the California Department of Pubic Health and the Nevada State Public Health laboratory were positive for Hantavirus in the case of 61-year-old Richard Laird Johnson known as Laird, a resident of Redding. Johnson said the man reportedly worked at the front desk of the visitor’s center/ museum at Bodie and had no official custodial or maintenance duties. He lived in his personal motorhome that was parked on site.

Dr. Johnson said this confirmed Hantavirus case will be investigated.