US anthrax suspect 'commits suicide' prior to charges
US scientist suspected anthrax attacks 'commits suicide'
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Friday, 01, Aug 2008 07:09
A US scientist suspected of carrying out anthrax attacks in the wake of 9/11 has reportedly killed himself just before he was to be charged.
Bruce Ivins, 62, had worked for 18 years at a government bio defence facility and had helped FBI investigate anthrax-tainted envelopes sent to the media and politicians in 2001.
But after learning of the FBI's plans to indict him for the attacks, Dr Ivins took an overdose of the prescription painkillers Tylenol and Codeine, the Los Angeles Times newspaper claims.
Five people died and 17 were made ill by anthrax posted to Washington politicians and journalists in New York and Florida just weeks after the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001.
Dr Ivins had aided the FBI with their investigations but after Steve Hatfil, another scientist at the Fort Detrick, Maryland facility was exonerated, the bureau reportedly earmarked Dr Ivins as the prime suspect.
According to the Associated Press news agency, officials believed Dr Ivins could have released the anthrax to test a vaccine he was developing.
No official comment has been given since the death of Dr Ivins at Frederick Memorial Hospital in Maryland on Tuesday.
In a statement, the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) said it "mourned the loss of Dr Bruce Ivins, who served the institute for more than 35 years as a civilian microbiologist... We will miss him very much".
Dr Ivins's lawyer, Paul Kemp, added: "We assert his innocence in these killings, and would have established that at trial."