Anthrax scientist Bruce Ivans, believed by authorities to be behind the deadly 2001 anthrax attacks, was found dead Tuesday from an apparent suicide. He was 62. The papers are all trying to convict him, which is unfortunate since he will never get a trial and a chance to defend himself.
Among the many questions still lurking about the anthrax attacks, this ending raises two more:
- Why did it take this long for authorities to zero in on this guy, given the limited number of people with access to anthrax?
- Why would a guy with easy access to the world’s deadliest poisons end his life using common acetaminophen?
Though Ivins is dead and the case will probably be closed, I would still like to see the evidence. Now we may never know.
Update: Glenn Greenwald writes of even more troubling unanswered questions in yesterday’s Salon. particularly about the role ABC News played in spreading false information linking the attacks to Iraq.
ABC’s got some ‘splaining to do.