anthrax

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Ivins Had Anthrax 'Identical' to '01 Attack

Suspect sought to mislead FBI, released documents show

(Newser) - Army scientist Bruce Ivins is the sole person responsible for the 2001 anthrax attacks, and he had custody of highly purified anthrax spores with "certain genetic mutations identical" to the poison that killed five people, the Justice Department says. Ivins was unable to give investigators "an adequate explanation...

As Families See Evidence, FBI Set to End Anthrax Probe

How feds traced attack to Ivins is key question

(Newser) - The FBI began releasing details of its investigation into the 2001 anthrax mail attacks to families of the victims today, the AP reports, with information to be made public within hours on judge’s orders. The agency is ready to end its probe, with sources telling the Wall Street Journal ...

Anthrax Suspect Was on Brink Before Suicide

As feds closed in, Ivins drank, popped pills, perhaps planned to kill

(Newser) - As FBI agents closed in on Bruce Ivins last fall, the anthrax suspect’s life was falling apart, the Washington Post reports. Ivins would sometimes drink a liter of vodka while downing sleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs. He “was emailing me late at night with gobbledygook, ranting and raving,...

Ivins Borrowed Anthrax-Drying Machine

Device was made to render spore powder from culture samples

(Newser) - The government’s lead suspect in the 2001 anthrax attacks, Bruce Ivins, borrowed a device from his Army bioweapons lab designed to turn germ cultures into dry powder, the Washington Post reports. The machine, known as a lyopholizer, was not commonly borrowed, and had to have been formally checked out—...

FBI's Methods Questioned in Anthrax Search

Used intimidation to home in on 'weakest link,' some argue

(Newser) - Pressure is mounting for the FBI to publicly explain why its 2001 anthrax investigation focused on scientist Bruce Ivins, reports the New York Times, as some question the bureau's methods. Ivins simply “looked the most susceptible to pressure,” insisted one scientist. Bureau officials say they will make details...

Anthrax Suspect Was Obsessed With Sorority

Link to Kappa Kappa Gamma helps explain some puzzling details

(Newser) - The top suspect in the 2001 anthrax attacks was fixated on a sorority that has a chapter within 100 yards of the New Jersey mailbox from which the toxin-laced letters were sent, the AP reports. Federal officials say scientist Bruce Ivins had been obsessed with Kappa Kappa Gamma since his...

DNA Links Scientist to Anthrax Attacks

Anthrax traced to flask in Ivins' Maryland lab

(Newser) - Investigators have DNA evidence that links biodefense expert Bruce Ivins to the deadly 2001 anthrax attacks, but the case is largely circumstantial, the New York Times reports. Prosecutors have linked the anthrax used in mailings targeting news networks, newspapers, and Congress with a flask used by Ivins at his Maryland...

Is Bioresearch Making Us Less Safe?

Scientist's suicide highlights easy access to burgeoning field

(Newser) - Bruce Ivins was one of a handful of scientists with access to deadly agents of biowarfare—until the 2001 anthrax attacks in which he was suspected. In the wake of the researcher's suicide, the New York Times takes a look at the nation’s bioterror infrastructure—which has ballooned in...

Mad Anthrax Scientist Plotted to Kill Peers in 'Blaze of Glory'

Ivins a homicidal sociopath: therapist

(Newser) - The Maryland scientist linked to the deadly 2001 anthrax mailings who committed suicide last week had a “detailed homicidal plan” to kill his co-workers, his therapist testified. Bruce Ivins was diagnosed as a “sociopathic, homicidal killer” by several psychiatrists, she told a judge July 24, in seeking a...

Anthrax Expert Could Have Cashed In on Panic

Ivins had share in patents for a vaccine

(Newser) - Bruce Ivins, the government scientist linked to the deadly 2001 anthrax mailings who committed suicide this week, stood to profit from a panic set off by the killings, the Los Angeles Times reports. Ivins, who was close to being charged by the FBI when he killed himself, was listed as...

Anthrax Suspect Was Eccentric, Respected

Colleagues say scientist was innocent; others recall dark side

(Newser) - Bruce Ivins, the government scientist who committed suicide this week as FBI investigators working the case of the 2001 anthrax attacks were closing in, was known as a quiet, introverted researcher, the Washington Post reports. One ex-colleague described him as "a well-respected scientist” although he “always seemed on...

Feds Were Closing In on Anthrax Expert

They planned to indict, seek death penalty; scientist killed himself

(Newser) - If Army microbiologist Bruce Ivins hadn’t killed himself, he might have been executed. Federal prosecutors were on the verge of indicting Ivins in the 2001 anthrax mail attacks that killed five people, and they would have sought the death penalty, the AP reports. One official says an ongoing grand...

Anthrax Case Scientist Commits Suicide

Microbiologist took drug overdose as investigators closed in

(Newser) - A government scientist in Maryland about to be charged in the 2001 anthrax attacks has apparently committed suicide, the Los Angeles Times reports. Microbiologist Bruce Ivins was questioned after the attacks for failing to report anthrax contamination at his workplace, but the investigation soon switched focus. Colleagues say Ivins became...

Ex-Army Doc to Get $5.8M in Anthrax Case

Feds settle with Hatfill, once named 'person of interest' in attacks

(Newser) - The Justice Department will pay nearly $6 million to an ex-Army scientist for naming him in an anthrax probe 7 years ago, the AP reports. The feds settled out of court today for calling Steven Hatfill a "person of interest" in the still-unsolved case, but continued to "deny...

Reporter Held in Contempt in Anthrax Story

Fine reaches $5K a day until she discloses source

(Newser) - A judge yesterday held a former USA Today reporter in contempt of court for refusing to disclose her sources in stories about the 2001 anthrax attacks, the AP reports. He also ordered her to pay daily fines reaching $5,000 out of her own pocket until she cooperates . The reporter...

Doctor Sues 3 Officials in Anthrax Case

Claims they leaked info, caused 'severe emotional distress'

(Newser) - A former army doctor identified as a "person of interest" in the 2001 anthrax attacks is suing three US officials for leaking information about him, the Los Angeles Times reports. In his five-year-old suit, physician Steven Hatfill claims the case caused him "severe emotional distress" and hindered his...

Anthrax Probe Finds US ‘Poorly Prepared’

Security firm says new vaccine, better detection needed

(Newser) - The US is ill equipped to deal with anthrax threats, a consulting firm said today, and must improve vaccines, drugs for victims of exposure and detection methods. The group, which includes a former CIA director, used several outbreak scenarios—in subways, movie theaters, theme parks and the Oscars—to illustrate...

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