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Ivins Had Anthrax 'Identical' to '01 Attack

Suspect sought to mislead FBI, released documents show

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 6, 2008 2:17 PM CDT
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(AP) – 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 for his late laboratory work hours around the time of" the attacks, and he apparently sought to mislead investigators, according to an affidavit.

The 62-year-old scientist committed suicide last week as investigators were preparing to charge him with murder. Officially, the case will stay open for an undetermined but short period of time. That will allow the government to complete several legal and investigatory matters that need to be wrapped up before it can be closed, the officials said.

Bruce Ivins, founder of the Frederick Jugglers, gives a juggling demonstration at Mullinix Park in Frederick, Md. on May 9, 1983.
Bruce Ivins, founder of the Frederick Jugglers, gives a juggling demonstration at Mullinix Park in Frederick, Md. on May 9, 1983.   (AP Photo)
This 2003 photo provided by the US Army shows Dr. Bruce E. Ivins, a bio-defense researcher at Fort Detrick, Md., participating in an awards ceremony.
This 2003 photo provided by the US Army shows Dr. Bruce E. Ivins, a bio-defense researcher at Fort Detrick, Md., participating in an awards ceremony.   (AP Photo)
Dr. Bruce E. Ivins, a biodefense researcher at Fort Detrick, Md.
Dr. Bruce E. Ivins, a biodefense researcher at Fort Detrick, Md.   (AP Photo/Frederick News Post)
The Hamilton, N.J. Post Office is shown March 9, 2005, in this file photograph, just before reopening March 11, 2005, for the first time since October 2001, when the sort facility was found to be contaminated with anthrax spores.
The Hamilton, N.J. Post Office is shown March 9, 2005, in this file photograph, just before reopening March 11, 2005, for the first time since October 2001, when the sort facility was found to be contaminated...   (AP Photo)
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investigation • FBI • United States • anthrax • biological weapons • domestic terrorism • Bruce Ivins

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