Bruce Edward Ivins

American microbiologist, vaccinologist (1946-2008)

Bruce Edwards Ivins (April 22, 1946 – July 29, 2008)[1] was an American microbiologist and vaccinologist.[1] He was a senior biodefense researcher at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, Maryland. He was the key suspect responsible for the 2001 anthrax attacks.[2]

Bruce Edwards Ivins
Ivins at a 2003 awards ceremony at USAMRIID
Born(1946-04-22)April 22, 1946
DiedJuly 29, 2008(2008-07-29) (aged 62)
Cause of deathSuicide by overdose
EducationUniversity of Cincinnati (Ph.D.)
EmployerUnited States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

On July 29, 2008, he died of an overdose of Tylenol with codeine in an apparent suicide after learning that criminal charges were likely to be filed against him by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for connection to the 2001 anthrax attacks.[3]

According to The Smoking Gun, U.S. government court documents stated that Ivins edited articles on Wikipedia using the account name "Jimmyflathead".

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Obituary: Dr. Bruce Edwards Ivins". Frederick News-Post. 2008-07-31. Archived from the original on 2008-08-05. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  2. Willman, David (2008-08-01). "Apparent suicide in anthrax case". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  3. Apuzzo, Matt & Dishneau, David (2008-08-01). "U.S. wanted death penalty in anthrax case". Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 7, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-01. Federal prosecutors investigating the 2001 anthrax attacks were planning to indict and seek the death penalty against a top Army microbiologist who was developing a vaccine against the deadly toxin.