People fell ‘deathly ill’ after entering Airbnb with alleged Chinese-linked biolab
Several individuals who spent time inside a Las Vegas Airbnb—allegedly housing a secret biological lab linked to China—fell “deathly ill,” according to a former house cleaner who spoke with police.
The employee, identified in records by the pseudonym “Kelly,” told authorities that both she and a handyman assisting with property maintenance became severely ill after entering the garage, where the lab was reportedly located, ABC News reported.
“Approximately five days after entering the garage, she experienced breathing difficulties, fatigue, severe muscle aches, and was unable to get out of bed,” police documents state. The handyman reportedly experienced the same symptoms, supporting Kelly’s claim that the illness was connected to the garage.
Kelly also said that the wife of the property manager, Ori Solomon, 55, became sick after visiting the lab area. “Kelly said a lot of people who have lived inside the house have gotten sick,” the police report read. One resident reportedly required hospitalization for severe respiratory issues.
The former cleaner also noted unusual signs in the home. “When she was cleaning, there were many dead crickets in the master bedroom,” Kelly said, describing the sight as highly unusual for someone familiar with Las Vegas homes. Kelly’s tip ultimately led authorities to raid the property over the weekend, where officials reported discovering “potential biological and hazardous materials.”
The property is registered to Jia Bei Zhu, 62, who is already in federal custody for allegedly operating an unauthorized biolab in Reedley, California, in 2023. Zhu is accused of manufacturing and distributing unapproved medical devices—including COVID-19, pregnancy, and HIV tests—without proper permits, as well as making false statements to the Food and Drug Administration.
According to a report from the House Select Committee on the People’s Republic of China, Zhu is a Chinese citizen, a fugitive from Canada, and has ties to Beijing. The committee also said he was part of a transnational criminal enterprise that stole millions of dollars in intellectual property from U.S. companies.
Although Zhu’s attorney has denied involvement in the Las Vegas investigation, police allege that Zhu remained in “constant” contact with Solomon following his 2023 arrest, including more than 460 calls in 2025 alone. Kelly told authorities that Zhu checked on the Airbnb “every day,” reportedly instructing Solomon to move the lab “out of the garage immediately” if contacted by investigators.
Solomon was arrested Saturday and booked into the Clark County Detention Center on charges of disposing of and discharging hazardous waste, police said.
Authorities have identified at least one chemical in the home as hydrochloric acid, which the police report described as highly dangerous. Exposure through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion can cause severe, permanent injuries, and airborne hydrochloric acid is known to cause respiratory damage.
“As a result, the failure to properly dispose of these chemicals imperiled the lives of anyone in or near the garage,” the report warned.
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