Whitman woman’s suit claims husband’s death tied in infected hamster

Nancy Magee’s suit claims her husband and two other transplant recipients died after receiving organs from a donor who was infected with a disease that can be traced to the animal.

A Whitman woman is suing PetSmart Inc., a nationwide pet store chain, claiming her husband’s death resulted from an infection that can be traced to a pet hamster.

Thomas Magee, 54, died nearly a month after receiving a liver transplant. The suit claims Magee and two other transplant recipients died after receiving organs from a donor who was infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. The suit alleges the organ donor became infected after purchasing a pet hamster from the Warwick, R.I., PetSmart.

Nancy Magee, 51, is claiming negligence in her complaint filed in Boston District Court.

Magee, reached at her home, referred all calls to her attorney, Robert Bickelman.

“Our first obligation is to our client and her legal interests,