Anthrax Scientist Kills Himself as FBI Closed in

By Anastacia Mott Austin

At first he was hailed as a hero. Army bioweapons lab scientist Bruce E. Ivins helped develop a vaccine to protect against the deadly anthrax bacteria after the 2001 mail attacks unnerved an America already on edge from September 11th.

But this week the prominent scientist, 62, died of an apparent drug overdose, shortly after being informed by the FBI that he was their prime suspect in the attacks. The FBI was nearing an indictment of Ivins, and reportedly planned to seek the death penalty for charges of bioterrorism. He allegedly used a prescription strength Tylenol with codeine to end his life.

In October of 2001, deadly bacillus anthracis (anthrax) bacteria, in the form of white powder, was sent through the mail to United States’ Democratic senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy as well as several members of the media. Seventeen people were sickened and five died, including postal workers who had come into contact with the lethal powder.

Ivins worked along with other scientists at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) in Fort Detrick, Maryland, after the attacks to help identify the type of anthrax and the source of the mailings.

Initially Ivins’ colleague Steven Hatfill was named as a "person of interest" in the case, but a recent 5.8 million dollar settlement between the FBI and Hatfill has effectively cleared Hatfill as a suspect.

While Ivins had been questioned by the FBI as long ago as 2002, he was not considered a suspect until more recently. One FBI source said he had not heard Ivins’ name as a suspect, as recently as spring 2007.

In fact, Ivins had been given the highest civilian award, the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service, in March 2003 for helping to develop a successful vaccine for anthrax.

Pressure and focus reportedly increased on Ivins in recent months, after the investigation changed leadership and Hatfill was cleared of charges.

But could he be innocent? Colleagues at AMERIID are shocked at the possibility that Ivins could have been responsible for the attacks.

An employee who spoke anonymously told reporters from The Washington Post, "Almost everybody at 'RIID believes that he has absolutely nothing to do with Amerithrax," said the source, using the FBI code name for the 2001 anthrax attacks. "The FBI has been hounding him mercilessly."

But other sources say he fit the profile for someone who might have created the attacks in order to get publicity for the need for an anthrax vaccine. In addition, he had a personal history of emotional instability and threatening behavior. He was currently under a restraining order filed by a woman who said he was stalking her, and a social worker was prepared to testify that Ivins had made "homicidal threats."

Social worker Jean Duley was prepared to testify that Ivins "…has a history dating to his graduate days of homicidal threats, plans, and actions towards therapists."

Indeed, even his colleagues said that the strain of the investigation had clearly taken a toll on Ivins, and he had recently begun seeing a therapist. In addition, officials reportedly removed Ivins from his job because he "was a threat to himself or others."

But Ivins’ attorney, Paul F. Kemp, said that a trial would have cleared Ivins’ name, and he committed suicide because of the strain of the investigation, not because of guilt. "For more than a year, we have been privileged to represent Dr. Bruce Ivins during the investigation of the anthrax deaths of September and October of 2001," said Kemp to reporters. "We assert his innocence in these killings, and would have established that at trial."

Added Kemp, "The relentless pressure of accusation and innuendo takes its toll in different ways on different people, as has already been seen in this investigation. In Dr. Ivins' case, it led to his untimely death. We ask that the media respect the privacy of his family, and allow them to grieve."

As for the FBI, they are not releasing any details about any changes to their investigation, though reports are expected soon. "We are not at this time making any official statements or comments regarding this situation," said FBI representative Debbie Weierman to reporters.