Dead scientist had purified anthrax

WASHINGTON — Bruce Ivins, the microbiologist who was at the center of a federal anthrax probe when he committed suicide last week, had custody of the strain of the bacteria that killed five people in 2001 and sent an e-mail at the time claiming that Osama bin Laden intended to use the deadly spores to attack the United States and Jews, according to dozens of documents released Wednesday by the U.S. Justice Department.

The documents detail the deterioration of Ivins’ mental state as the investigation progressed, his obsessions and the advanced scientific methods used to trace the anthrax found in the deadly mailings back to Ivins’ lab at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Md.

At the time of the attacks, in September and October 2001, Ivins was spending an unusual amount of time in his lab at night by himself, according to a released affidavit. Ivins could not explain the extra time in the lab except to say that he was trying to “escape” life at home.

The documents say Ivins was “the custodian of a large flask of highly purified anthrax spores that possess certain genetic mutations identical to the anthrax used in the attacks.” However, the scientist’s former colleagues have said that at least 10 people had access to it.

But the Justice Department amassed pages of circumstantial evidence. For instance, the anthrax letters, sent to U.S. senators and news organizations, contained warnings that said, “WE HAVE THIS ANTHRAX … DEATH TO AMERICA … DEATH TO ISRAEL.” Investigators said that language is similar to an e-mail Ivins wrote Sept. 26, 2001: “Bin Laden terrorists for sure have anthrax … Osama Bin Laden has just decreed death to all Jews and all Americans.”

The letters were all mailed from a mailbox in Princeton, N.J. Ivins lived in Frederick, across the street from Fort Detrick, but investigators said he frequently traveled long distances to mail packages. They also note the mailbox where the letters were posted is just 60 feet from the Princeton offices of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, with which Ivins long had an obsession.

On Feb. 20, 2007, using one of his alternate e-mail addresses, he wrote on a Web site regarding members of the sorority: “Unfortunately, they labeled me as an enemy decades ago, and I can only abide by their ‘Fatwa’ on me.”

Ivins reportedly had entered rehab centers for alcohol abuse twice in the past year. In July, just before his death, he spent several weeks in a psychiatric ward at Frederick Memorial Hospital. His e-mails, released Wednesday, document his struggle with mental health issues.

“The thinking now,” he wrote July 4, 2000, “by the psychiatrist and counselor is that my symptoms may not be those of a depression or bipolar disorder, they may be that of a ‘Paranoid Personality Disorder.’ “

The strain spore batch used in the attacks was determined to be RMR-1029. That batch was stored in a suite at Fort Detrick to which Ivins had unrestricted access. The affidavit said Ivins “has been the sole custodian of RMR-1029 since it was first grown in 1997.”

In the months before his death, Ivins began telling friends that he was a suspect. According to an affidavit from July, at a group therapy session July 9, Ivins “said he was not going to face the death penalty, but instead had a plan to kill co-workers and other individuals who had wronged him.” The affidavit said that Ivins had a bulletproof vest and a list of co-workers, and that Ivins planned to obtain a Glock firearm from his son because federal agents were watching him and he could not obtain it on his own.

Ivins’ lawyer, Paul Kemp, has asserted his client’s innocence.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.