Irvine of one of a few master-planned communities in Orange County. Irvine currently has a population of approximately 275,000 residents. A number of tech companies are headquartered in Irvine. The University of California – Irvine employs about 20,000 people.

Irvine, California is known as one of the safest and affluent cities in the United States. Named after the development group that began building in the 1960s, Irvine was finally incorporated in 1971. Home to the popular and prestigious University of California and a number of enterprising tech companies, Irvine employs an estimated 20,000, and this master-planned city located in beautiful Orange County has an approximate population of 275,000. Orange Country Great Park has an operational huge anchored helium balloon that many visitors take advantage of by going up to see the spectacular area scenery.

The Pretend City Children’s Museum features fun kid-sized farm, post-office, and cafe that every family with younger children should see. Stately ancient sycamore trees shade meandering trails through the peaceful solitude of Bommer Canyon, and the area boasts truly diverse cultural attractions and excellent schools. Irvine has been ranked by the FBI as one of the safest cities located within the U.S. where populations reach over 100,000. In fact, Irvine also boasts a low crime rate. It could be over a year with no homicides to report.

The city is also home to a variety of different cultural and recreational offerings. Irvine has well-regarded schools on all educational levels.

Irvine has a low crime rate. In fact, Irvine has been ranked by the FBI at the top of the list of the safest cities in the United States with populations of over 100,000

For example, homicides are rare in Irvine. A year or two can pass without a homicide being reported in the city. A more recent homicide in Irvine started off as a report of an unattended death.

What Is an Unattended Death?

Many people understandably conclude that an “unattended death” is one that occurs outside the presence of healthcare or medical personnel. This is accurate to a point. What an “unattended death” in the full sense of the term is one in which a person dies with no one around at all. In addition, an unattended death is also on in which the remains of the deceased individual are not discovered for a more extended period of time. This can be days, weeks, or even months.

A lot of people who hear the term unattended death figure it simply means that someone died at home or not in a hospital. This is somewhat true, but the term actually describes a situation where a dead body is found sometimes days, weeks or longer after the person died apparently alone. This can be an especially hard situation for families to deal with.

If the person died of natural causes, the family members might have thought the person was alright. Other families live spread out and many don’t keep into regular contact with all of their relatives. While this situation could be one that is just death by natural means like a fatal heart attack or stroke, or it could refer to a death by suicide or even homicide. 

Common examples of unattended deaths include:

  • Suicides
  • Homicides
  • Accidents
  • Disease
  • Natural Causes

Irvine Unattended Death Determined to Be a Homicide

As mentioned a moment ago, Irvine is known for having an exceptionally low crime rate, including when it comes to violent crimes. More than two years passed before a body was discovered at a construction site in Irvine. The body was well into the decomposition process when it was discovered.

The state of the body rendered it impossible for the Irvine Police Department to make an immediate determination of the cause of death. As happens in situations such as this, the Orange County Coroner was dispatched to the scene. Both the police and coroner conducted simultaneous investigations at the construction site. The coroner removed the remains for an autopsy. When that process was completed, an announcement was made that the cause of death was a homicide.

The victim remained unidentified. In addition, the police and the coroner withheld the specific cause of death.

Biohazard Cleanup in Irvine Following an Unattended Death

The discovery of an unattended death is a traumatic experience. Oftentimes, a family member discovers the remains of a person who has died an unattended death. Sadly, a good amount of time may have gone by before the remains are discovered.

The human decomposition process shows no mercy. It commences directly after a person dies. Within a couple of days, a body begins to show the effects of decomposition, which includes discoloration bloating. Within a week’s time, the effects of decomposition become even more profound and include fluids leaking from the remains and noxious gases being released into the air. Significantly, these fluids and gases can contain dangerous pathogens, including biohazards that can cause diseases in people who come into contact with these fluids and gases.

When a family member or other loved one experiences an unattended death because of something like suicide or homicide, the person discovering the remains is likely to be emotionally traumatized. Oftentimes the person who discovers a body under these circumstances also ends up being responsible for seeing that the scene of the death is cleaned up.

Both biohazard cleanup specialists and mental health professionals agree that a person in this type of situation should not embark on cleaning up the aftermath of an unattended death on their own. First, they do not have the training, including safety instruction, to undertake the cleanup thoroughly and safely. Second, there is no need to further aggravate a person’s emotional state by dealing with what fairly can be described as the gruesome task of biohazard cleanup in Irvine.

An experienced, compassionate biohazard cleanup in Irvine expert has the background, equipment, and training necessary to accomplish this vital task. A biohazard remediator can ensure that the scene of a violent, traumatic, or unattended death can safely be restored to a livable or useable condition.

How a Compassionate & Discrete Biohazard Cleanup & Remediation Specialist Can Spare Families Some Small Grief

This is exactly why professional mental health experts and grief counselors recommend that the family members not be the one to clean up the premises as this could be far too traumatic and upsetting. There is enough turmoil, confusion, and regrets in the immediate phase just after someone was discovered dead. At the very least, compassionate & discrete biohazard cleanup and remediation specialists like Eco Bear technicians can spare families some small grief by taking this potentially traumatizing task and getting the space clean and habitable again in short order.

A compassionate and seasoned biohazard cleanup in Irvine expert has the background, training, equipment and cleaning supplies necessary to accomplish this vital task. A biohazard remediator can help ensure that the scene where a violent or unattended death recently can afterward be safely restored to a livable state again. This small welcome measure can well keep the grieving family members safe from further mental and emotional turmoil.

What Are Some Other Examples of Cleanup Jobs That Require Biohazard Expertise?

As stated previously, a biohazard is any biologically sourced substance that has the potential to harm or spread illness by way of pathogens. There are some other examples of cleanup jobs that should require a professional cleaning crew with up-to-date advanced biohazard training and skills-set. These include:

  • Decontaminating a Space After Someone was Ill & Contagious
  • Cleaning Up Rat & Other Rodent Droppings and Nests
  • Cleaning Out Vehicles Labeled Biohazardous
  • Remediation of Property Following Powerful Storms

The Safe Way to Decontaminate a Home or Room Following Contagious Illness

When someone has a particularly contagious disease, they are often kept in isolation when in a healthcare setting such as a hospital or nursing home. If the patient is being cared for at home, which is often the case with hospice patients, the home or room where the ill person was will need a thorough and expert cleaning from a professional cleaning service with the credentials to clean sites that have biohazards like pathogens present.

These pathogens are found in human blood, saliva, digestive tract, urine, feces, and other body fluids. It is crucial to be protected during any cleaning of this sort to avoid cross-contamination and even infection from those same pathogens that the ill person has suffered from.

Protective clothing should always be worn. Labeled PPE in medical circles the most basic items needed include:

  • Impervious Gown/Apron/Smock
  • Disposable Booties & Hair Caps
  • Eye Protection like Goggles
  • Face Mask as OSHA recommended
  • Hospital Grade Disposable Gloves

In particularly dangerous situations, such as when dealing with a pathogen with no known cure or other life-threatening items, a full enclosed spacesuit like getup and oxygen tank with a helmet is often necessary for the protection of the persons performing the cleanup.

How Rat Droppings Can Cause Extreme Sickness & Even Death

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long voiced the dangers of rodents in human living quarters. In medieval times, the plague swept through towns and villages killing everyone it could in its past. Forms of this deadly disease are still being reported in some parts of the globe. Rats, mice and other rodents harbor dangerous pathogens which they can spread to humans through the following ways:

  • Urine
  • Fecal Droppings
  • Hair/Fur
  • Bite
  • Saliva
  • Blood

It can be difficult to remain protected when the person is not a professional trained in this difficult line of work. There are some excellent companies like Eco Bear who do have the background, trained personnel, special equipment, correct strength cleaning products and protective attire to complete these jobs without becoming contaminated in the process.

Rats and mice are known to harbor up to 35 known disease-causing pathogens. These pathogens include:

  • Bacteria
  • Viruses
  • Protozoa
  • Worms
  • Other Microorganisms
  • Dangerous Molds

Whenever rats or related rodents are concerned, it is far easier and much safer to rely on and trust the experienced service of area Irvine cleanup and remediation specialists much like the ones found at Eco Bear.

These professionals are able to destroy pathogens deep in the areas where they hide. This type of cleanup service goes far deeper than simply wiping down the surfaces where obvious waste or harmful substance is visible. This team uses professional hospital grade products to eliminate and destroy all traces of any pathogens in the space.

Traumatic Grief Counseling in Irvine

There are Irvine grief counselors and therapists well-trained in assisting people who experience traumatic grief arising from the sudden or unexpected death of a loved one. These professionals are well-versed at working with people who discover the remains of a loved one who died some time previously.

Deborah Ryan
2302 Martin Street, Suite 320
Irvine, California 92612
(949) 474-7447

Orange County Health Psychologists
15615 Alton Parkway, Suite 230
Irvine, California 92618
(949) 386-1538

Hyesung Helen Ahn
8 Corporate Park, Suite #200
Irvine, California 92606
(213) 699-3976

Related Articles