threats in a group therapy session on July 9, 2008. During the search of his residence they recovered a bullet-proof vest, together with a homemade reinforced body armor plate, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and smokeless handgun powder. Agents also interviewed counselors who had treated Dr. Ivins, including the two therapists present during the group therapy session, in an effort to assess the seriousness of his threats to harm individuals involved in the investigation.
In the months that followed the suicide of Dr. Ivins, investigators continued their review of thousands of e-mails going back ten years, and examined additional evidence that developed in the aftermath of his death. In addition, investigators sought and obtained court orders authorizing access to his mental health records, and interviews of various mental health providers who had treated Dr. Ivins in the past.[1]
- D. Summary of Evidence from the Investigation Implicating Dr. Ivins
1. Opportunity. After a time-consuming process, the scientific analysis coordinated by the FBI Laboratory determined that RMR-1029, a spore-batch created and maintained at USAMRIID by Dr. Ivins, was the parent material for the anthrax used in the mailings. Further, in the days leading up to each of the mailings, Dr. Ivins, without any apparent legitimate purpose or explanation, was alone late at night in the lab where RMR-1029 was stored, together with the highly sophisticated lab equipment needed to grow, harvest, and store the anthrax used in the mailings, as well as the equipment capable of performing the forbidden function of drying it. Dr. Ivins was never in the habit of working excessive late night hours in the lab, either prior to or after the mailings. In addition, Dr. Ivins was among the very few anthrax researchers nationwide with the knowledge and ability to create the highly purified spores used in the mailings. Finally, everyone else who had access to RMR-1029 was ruled out as the mailer because, among other reasons, they lacked the ability and/or opportunity to prepare and store the material.
2. Motive. According to his e-mails and statements to friends, in the months leading up to the anthrax attacks in the fall of 2001, Dr. Ivins was under intense personal and professional pressure. The anthrax vaccine program to which he had devoted his entire career of more than 20 years was failing. The anthrax vaccines were receiving criticism in several scientific circles, because of both potency problems and allegations that the anthrax vaccine contributed to Gulf War Syndrome. Short of some major breakthrough or intervention, he feared that the vaccine research program was going to be discontinued. Following the anthrax attacks, however, his program was suddenly rejuvenated.
3. Mental Health Struggles. Dr. Ivins's profound mental health struggles provide both a context for his motive to commit the crime and an explanation for how this person could commit such a horrific and tragic offense. Information from his own e-mails and his statements
- ↑ The results of that record collection and follow-up interviews remain under seal at this time.
8
