Jars From Biofem Exec’s Home Not a Threat, FBI Says

Tests on dozens of small jars removed from the Irvine home of biochemical researcher Dr. Larry C. Ford found nothing that poses a health risk to the neighborhood, FBI officials said Tuesday.

Federal officials would not rule out that the jars contained dangerous substances but said that neighbors who were evacuated for three days while authorities scoured the Woodbridge home for hazardous materials do not face any danger from living in the area.

“Enough analysis has taken place to determine that there is no public health risk. . . . No one is in danger at his point,” said Julie McWilliams, special agent in the FBI’s Santa Ana office. “Because of our pending investigation, we won’t talk more specifically about what was found inside.”

More than 200 residents were ordered to leave their homes last month while federal and local police unearthed an arsenal of weapons, explosives and jars of unknown substances. Ford’s family insist that the doctor--the director of science of the Irvine drug company Biofem Inc.--would not have stored substances that could have harmed his family at home.

Ford fatally shot himself March 2, one day after police searched his home in connection with the attempted murder of his business partner, Biofem CEO James Patrick Riley. Ford left a suicide note maintaining his innocence.