Aftermath: Hunt for the Anthrax Killer
Episode 2: Martha’s Not Crazy
Release Date: April 2, 2025
Hosts: Wolf Entertainment + CBC

Introduction: A Fateful Sample

“He couldn't have known then what would happen decades later, the murder and mayhem and national panic that sample will cause when it falls into the wrong hands.”
— Jeremiah Kroll [02:08]

The episode opens by tracing the origins of the anthrax attacks to a seemingly innocuous event in May 1981. Veterinarian Mike Vickers responds to a troubling call from a large ranch in South Texas, where two heifers have died under mysterious and gruesome circumstances. Unbeknownst to Mike, the biological sample he sends to a veterinary lab will later become central to one of the FBI's most perplexing investigations.

The 2001 Anthrax Outbreak: Panic Post-9/11

On October 3, 2001, just a day after the September 11 attacks, a new terror grips the nation as Dr. Larry Bush, chief of staff at a Florida hospital, diagnoses a patient with anthrax. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms the diagnosis, igniting widespread fear.

"There's more media in the area because things are leaking out than you can imagine. The parking lot's full of every type of media there is."
— Larry Bush [03:51]

The nation, still reeling from the Twin Towers' destruction, finds itself vulnerable to the fear of biological attacks. Hospitals become inundated with patients exhibiting symptoms that could potentially be linked to anthrax, heightening paranoia and uncertainty.

FBI's Initial Investigation: Al Qaeda as the Prime Suspect

In the immediate aftermath, the FBI zeroes in on Al Qaeda as the likely perpetrator behind the anthrax attacks. Agent Scott Decker reveals that the FBI recognizes the anthrax strain as a laboratory type, complicating the investigation.

"The worst case scenario would be somebody had produced a pound of dried anthrax powder, very fine, that could take out hundreds and thousands of people. If done properly."
— Gene Malecki [08:20]

Dr. Paul Keim, a trusted scientist, identifies the anthrax strain as the Ames strain—a robust and highly concentrated variant originally sourced from Texas in 1981. This revelation expands the pool of suspects to numerous laboratories possessing the coveted strain, making the investigation labyrinthine.

Connecting the Dots: AMI Building and Potential Links to Hijackers

As the investigation unfolds, a breakthrough emerges linking the anthrax infections to the American Media Incorporated (AMI) building in Boca Raton, Florida. Two victims, Robert Stevens and Ernesto Blanco, both AMI employees, succumb to inhalation anthrax, suggesting a localized source of exposure.

"She said, do you read all the stuff we're writing about the people who did 9/11, all the stuff we write about them? I said, no."
— Larry Bush [06:20]

An alarming lead surfaces when a letter addressed to pop star Jennifer Lopez contains a Star of David and white powder. This envelope, examined by Robert Stevens, becomes a critical piece of evidence tying the anthrax to potential mail-based dissemination.

Furthermore, initial suspicions that Al Qaeda might be behind the attacks are reinforced when FBI agents trace connections between the anthrax victims and the 9/11 hijackers, some of whom resided near the AMI building. However, these connections soon prove misleading.

Disproven Links and Shifting Focus

Despite the early focus on Al Qaeda, extensive environmental sampling and DNA testing reveal no evidence of anthrax in the hijackers’ residences or vehicles.

"We subjected all of those samples to vigorous testing, and none of the samples that we tested in our laboratory resulted in a positive result."
— Scott Decker [34:42]

This dead end forces the FBI to reconsider their initial theories, recognizing that the anthrax attack may not be connected to the broader terrorist network in the way they had presumed. Gene Malecki reflects on the investigation's trajectory:

"My theory is that when Mueller and Ashkoff made public the fact that the hijackers lived in South Florida around Boca Raton, that our mailer, anthrax mailer, purposely sent letters to Boca Raton to make us think it was Al Qaeda."
— Gene Malecki [35:48]

Expanding the Crisis: Anthrax Anxiety Spreads

As the investigation intensifies, the presence of anthrax at the AMI building suggests a possible mail-based attack, which raises concerns about widespread contamination across the United States. Firefighters and emergency responders are inundated with reports of suspicious substances, leading to mass quarantines and public hysteria.

"The building shut down and the company's 300 employees told not to come to work after traces of anthrax were found in the nasal passages of a second employee."
— Jeremiah Kroll [30:15]

Public Health Lab Director Segrin Pillai faces the daunting task of screening thousands for exposure, all while managing the ongoing contamination within AMI.

Conclusion: A Misguided Chase and Unresolved Mysteries

By October 11, 2001, the FBI acknowledges the lack of evidence connecting the anthrax attacks to Al Qaeda. The investigation reveals that the anthrax letters were likely the work of an individual outside the terrorist organization, leaving many questions unanswered.

"We beat that dog to death."
— Gene Malecki [35:26]

The episode concludes by highlighting the complexities and challenges faced by the FBI, emphasizing the difficulties in distinguishing coincidences from genuine leads in high-stakes investigations.

"The worst thing that can happen to an FBI agent working a criminal investigation is to solve it in your mind before you really have the evidence."
— Gene Malecki [36:56]

Notable Quotes:

• “He couldn’t have known then what would happen decades later…”
  — Jeremiah Kroll [02:08]

• “There’s more media in the area because things are leaking out than you can imagine.”
  — Larry Bush [03:51]

• “The worst case scenario would be somebody had produced a pound of dried anthrax powder…”
  — Gene Malecki [08:20]

• “We subjected all of those samples to vigorous testing, and none of the samples that we tested in our laboratory resulted in a positive result.”
  — Scott Decker [34:42]

• “We beat that dog to death.”
  — Gene Malecki [35:26]

This episode of Aftermath: Hunt for the Anthrax Killer masterfully weaves together declassified materials, firsthand accounts, and expert analysis to unravel the intricate and often frustrating investigation into the anthrax attacks. It underscores the profound impact such events have on national psyche and security protocols, while also highlighting the persistent gaps in intelligence and forensic technology of the time.