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US anthrax 'suspect' found dead US anthrax 'suspect' found dead
(20 minutes later)
A top US scientist suspected of anthrax attacks in 2001 has apparently killed himself just as he was about to be charged, a newspaper reported.A top US scientist suspected of anthrax attacks in 2001 has apparently killed himself just as he was about to be charged, a newspaper reported.
The Los Angeles Times said government scientist Bruce Ivins, 62, had taken an overdose of painkillers.The Los Angeles Times said government scientist Bruce Ivins, 62, had taken an overdose of painkillers.
The paper said that he had recently been told of the impending prosecution. The US justice department has not yet commented on the report.The paper said that he had recently been told of the impending prosecution. The US justice department has not yet commented on the report.
Five people died when anthrax was posted to the media and politicians.Five people died when anthrax was posted to the media and politicians.
The incidents took place shortly after the 11 September attacks in 2001.The incidents took place shortly after the 11 September attacks in 2001.
Security measures in the wake of the anthrax attacks temporarily closed a Senate building and increased the public's fear of their vulnerability to terrorism.Security measures in the wake of the anthrax attacks temporarily closed a Senate building and increased the public's fear of their vulnerability to terrorism.
As well as the five deaths, 17 other people were made ill.As well as the five deaths, 17 other people were made ill.
ExoneratedExonerated
The LA Times said Mr Ivins had worked at the government biodefence research laboratories in Fort Detrick, Maryland, for the past 18 years.The LA Times said Mr Ivins had worked at the government biodefence research laboratories in Fort Detrick, Maryland, for the past 18 years.
As a microbiologist he helped the FBI investigate the anthrax-tainted envelopes.As a microbiologist he helped the FBI investigate the anthrax-tainted envelopes.
ANTHRAX PANIC, 2001 First anthrax-laced letter is mailed on 18 Sept, 2001Florida sees first of five deaths, three weeks laterPanicked Americans try to stock up on antibiotic CiproPostal depots shut for de-contaminationSenate offices shut for weeksHoaxes become an almost daily occurrencePlans to deal with a biological weapons attack updatedMail irradiated to kill anthrax sporesANTHRAX PANIC, 2001 First anthrax-laced letter is mailed on 18 Sept, 2001Florida sees first of five deaths, three weeks laterPanicked Americans try to stock up on antibiotic CiproPostal depots shut for de-contaminationSenate offices shut for weeksHoaxes become an almost daily occurrencePlans to deal with a biological weapons attack updatedMail irradiated to kill anthrax spores
The mail was sent to legislators in Washington and media offices in New York and Florida.The mail was sent to legislators in Washington and media offices in New York and Florida.
Those killed were two postal workers in Washington, a New York hospital worker, a Florida photo editor and an elderly woman in Connecticut.Those killed were two postal workers in Washington, a New York hospital worker, a Florida photo editor and an elderly woman in Connecticut.
The FBI focused more on Mr Ivins after the leadership of the investigation was changed in 2006.The FBI focused more on Mr Ivins after the leadership of the investigation was changed in 2006.
Another scientist at the Fort Detrick laboratory, Dr Steven Hatfill, who had been named a "person of interest" in the case in 2002, was exonerated of any involvement.Another scientist at the Fort Detrick laboratory, Dr Steven Hatfill, who had been named a "person of interest" in the case in 2002, was exonerated of any involvement.
He sued the justice department, saying it had violated his privacy rights by speaking to reporters about the case.He sued the justice department, saying it had violated his privacy rights by speaking to reporters about the case.
In June, the US department paid Dr Hatfill $5.82m (£2.94m) to settle the lawsuit.In June, the US department paid Dr Hatfill $5.82m (£2.94m) to settle the lawsuit.
The LA Times said the investigation had been making new progress based on analysis of anthrax-tainted letters posted to senators Patrick Leahy and Thomas Daschle.The LA Times said the investigation had been making new progress based on analysis of anthrax-tainted letters posted to senators Patrick Leahy and Thomas Daschle.
A doctor who worked with Mr Ivins at Fort Detrick, Russell Byrne, told Associated Press news agency the FBI had "hounded" Mr Ivins.A doctor who worked with Mr Ivins at Fort Detrick, Russell Byrne, told Associated Press news agency the FBI had "hounded" Mr Ivins.
Dr Byrne said Mr Ivins had had to seek treatment for depression.Dr Byrne said Mr Ivins had had to seek treatment for depression.
In 2003, Mr Ivins was awarded the highest honour for defence department civilian staff for his anthrax vaccine work.In 2003, Mr Ivins was awarded the highest honour for defence department civilian staff for his anthrax vaccine work.
Associated Press quoted officials as saying that authorities were investigating whether Mr Ivins had released the anthrax to test his vaccine.Associated Press quoted officials as saying that authorities were investigating whether Mr Ivins had released the anthrax to test his vaccine.