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Anthrax case turns Scientist commits suicide as FBI probe tightens Originally published August 02, 2008
Note this again here . . . Ivins said he performed the sampling because he was concerned the powder from the anthrax letters and other samples might not be adequately contained.
Ivins’ sampling, undertaken without the knowledge of his superiors, found anthrax in a technician’s desk area, which he decontaminated, without notifying his superiors. At a later date, he found more anthrax in areas including his office and a changing area for lab personnel.
His co-worker was suspicious that there was LEAKING ---
In other words, they were helping the government with the investigations ---
Ivins only hired a lawyer one year ago ---
And we may be looking at a total frame up of Ivins . . . The document goes on to state that Ivins had made "homicidal threats, actions, plans, threats and actions towards therapist" and has a history of threats dating back to his graduate days.
A spokeswoman for the University of Cincinnati, where Ivins received three degrees, had no information to that effect.
Vander Linden said people have to go through a rigorous process that includes background checks and medical examinations before they are given access to USAMRIID's biocontainment suites, but she said she was not sure if that process includes psychological examinations.
Also note this ---
About 1:15 a.m. Sunday, Frederick County Emergency Communications received a medical emergency call from Ivins' 622 Military Road home, said Lt. Shawn Martyak of the Frederick Police Department. Officials found Ivins unresponsive on the floor in a room in his home.
At the time when officers were called, nothing indicated the medical emergency was a suicide, he said.
All we know is that he was "unresponsive" . . .
and who called . . . ???
And, is this a prior attempt at suicide . . . or a prior attack on him . . . ? Besides being called on July 10 and July 27, the department was called to Ivins' home one other time this year, Pennington said. Officers were assisting fire and rescue officials on a call for an unconscious person, but he did not know if that individual was Ivins.
Acquaintances seem to be suggesting he was normal, health, personable ---
"Neighbors Natalie Duggan and her mother, Bonnie Duggan, described Ivins as "the kind of person who would go out of his way to lend a hand."
They said they had no idea he was under FBI surveillance.
"I'd frequently see cars ... they had blacked-out windows. It was kind of freaky," Natalie Duggan said. "We were kind of wondering what the deal is. We would see Bruce, but we never thought it was him."
The news of his suicide saddened them both. "It is just a very sad day," Bonnie Duggan said. "I never suspected him of any wrongdoing whatsoever, he always was a straight arrow."
A former employee at Fort Detrick whose son lives in Ivins' neighborhood, Bob Newton, came over to look at Ivins' house Friday afternoon.
Newton said he remembered how lax security had been when he was stationed at the Army post in the 1970s.
"I was located in building right next to the 8-ball where they did a lot of experiments on monkeys, chemicals, all that stuff," he said. "I hate to say it, but back then, stuff came in and out of this gate."
Even though security has gotten tighter, "it did not surprise me one bit to learn the source of the anthrax was Fort Detrick," he said.
Newton said that when he worked in the labs, procedures were in place to ensure some degree of safety through record-keeping. Given that, he believes if something was amiss, someone had to have noticed.
"The anthrax had to be locked up, it had to be," Newton said.
The most logical explanation Newton can think of for why someone might have done this illegal act was emotional.
"Something got to him," Newton said. "I don't think it was a conspiracy."
Russell Byrne worked with Ivins in USAMRIID's bacteriology division. Byrne, who retired from Fort Detrick about four years ago, said he believes Ivins was living under pressure, being plagued by the FBI.
Federal agents had raided Ivins' home twice and threatened his job, Byrne said. The cost of lawyers was also likely putting Ivins under financial strain.
"Everybody just loved Bruce," Byrne said.
Byrne said he doesn't believe Ivins was involved in the anthrax attacks. He said he wonders how it is that the culprits haven't been identified after seven years of investigation.
"I can't imagine what it would take to convince me (that Ivins was involved)," Byrne said. "It's unimaginable to me that he had anything to do with the attacks."
Byrne's wife, Ellen Byrne, remembered Ivins from company get-togethers. She recalled his sense of humor.
"He would sing songs, make up songs," she said. "He was a nice guy, just always very upbeat and funny."
UPBEAT AND FUNNY . . .
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