Anthrax Suspect Commits Suicide as FBI Closes In

Only recently, the FBI and Justice Department agreed to a huge settlement with Steven Hatfill for $5.82 million after ruining his life and his career through harassment and baseless charges as the suspect in the 2001 anthrax mailings. At the time, many of us stated that such a settlement was likely an indicator that they were about to make an arrest. It appears that they were. Scientist, Bruce E. Ivins, 62, was about to be indicted for the attacks when he committed suicide.

Ivins fits the profile of the suspect. He was a top U.S. biodefense researcher who worked for the past 18 years at the government’s biodefense labs at Fort Detrick, Md. Notably, Ivins worked on inhalation anthrax research at Fort Detrick. Reports indicate that he had taken a massive dose of a prescription Tylenol mixed with codeine.

Of course, given the FBI outrageous conduct with regard to Hatfill, it is dangerous to jump to any conclusions about Ivins. The agents responsible for Hatfill’s persecution escaped any punishment for their efforts to break him down, get him fired, and ruin his reputation.

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