That is sad you found it dead.

When I was a kid they were as common as squirrels. We used to catch and play with them all of the time, especially in the summer since Mom would kick us out of the house during the day.

I was fortunate to find one about twenty years ago in Cloudcroft, NM which is in the mountains of Southern NM and was able to share it with my kids.

I don't believe that my kids have ever seen one since.