Background of the Anthrax Killer
The anthrax killer is a mysterious figure in the United States. In 2001, letters containing anthrax were sent through the mail, resulting in five deaths and 17 illnesses. The FBI investigated the matter for more than a decade and was unable to conclusively identify the perpetrator. In 2008, the FBI announced that the perpetrator was Bruce Ivins, a scientist who had worked at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID).
USAMRIID is a medical research institute located at the Fort Detrick military base in Frederick, Maryland. It is responsible for researching infectious diseases, including anthrax.
Bruce Ivins and the Anthrax Investigation
Bruce Ivins was a microbiologist working at USAMRIID. He had worked at the institute since the 1980s and was considered a respected scientist. In 2007, the FBI identified Ivins as a person of interest in the anthrax investigation. Ivins was placed on administrative leave and had his security clearance revoked.
In 2008, the FBI announced that Ivins was the sole perpetrator of the anthrax letters. The FBI cited evidence that Ivins had access to the strain of anthrax used in the attack, had an interest in the postal system, and had the knowledge and ability to create the weaponized anthrax used in the attack.
Ivins's Death and the Anthrax Investigation
On July 29, 2008, Bruce Ivins committed suicide. His death left many unanswered questions about the anthrax attacks. While the FBI concluded that Ivins was the perpetrator of the attack, some experts questioned the validity of the FBI's conclusion.
The FBI maintained that Ivins was the sole perpetrator of the attack. However, there are still some who believe that other people may have been involved in the attack. To this day, the true identity of the anthrax killer remains a mystery.
