Aftermath: Hunt for the Anthrax Killer
Episode 5: One Hundred Miles
Release Date: April 16, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 5, titled "One Hundred Miles," of the gripping podcast series Aftermath: Hunt for the Anthrax Killer, host Jeremiah Kroll delves deeper into the harrowing investigation following the anthrax attacks in the wake of September 11, 2001. This episode unravels the complexities of the FBI’s extensive probe, the emergence of false leads, and the profound personal impacts on innocent individuals caught in the crossfire of a relentless search for the truth.

Yankees Game Three: A Momentary Respite

The episode opens on October 30, 2001, less than two months after 9/11. New York City is grappling with the dual terrors of grief and the anthrax attacks. Amidst this tension, the New York Yankees advance to the World Series, offering a brief moment of hope for the beleaguered city.

Jeremiah Kroll narrates, “The World Series had been delayed over fears of another terrorist attack... while the fans forget their worries, officials can't” (00:44).

To ensure the game’s safety, a top-secret biohazard detection system was deployed at Yankee Stadium. FBI Agent Scott Decker explains, “This program was working on a biosensor air sniffer” (02:27). The technology confirmed no biotoxins were present during Game Three, giving the city a fleeting sense of security.

A New Anthrax Victim: Kathy Nguyen

Tragedy strikes less than 24 hours after the Yankees' victory. Dr. Marcy Layton, Assistant Commissioner for the Health Department, is alerted to a new case of inhalational anthrax involving Kathy Nguyen, a 61-year-old Bronx resident with no apparent ties to previous victims.

Marcy Layton laments, “61 year old Cathy Nguyen's death from inhalation anthrax is baffling investigators and complicating the entire anthrax investigation” (07:24).

As Marcy investigates, she discovers that Kathy leads a reclusive life, making it difficult to trace her exposure to anthrax. “Kathy immigrated from Vietnam in 1977 and... she doesn't go out that much” (06:53). Despite thorough searches of her apartment and usual haunts, no source of contamination is found, raising fears of a second anthrax attack.

FBI’s Narrowing Approach: The 100-Mile Radius

FBI Agent Scott Decker makes a breakthrough by analyzing the anthrax-laced letters. The discovery that multiple letters share the same postmark from Trenton, New Jersey, suggests a localized origin of the attacks. Decker posits, “reasonable drive time is roughly 100 miles” (11:29), establishing a radius to focus the investigation.

Further analysis of the letters reveals meticulous details, such as the serifs on the number one in the date “911 01,” indicating a high level of precision. Dan Goldberg notes, “Somebody with a science background, a fairly good science background in order to make the weapon itself” (13:27).

The Wrong Path: Irshad Shaikh’s Unwarranted Scrutiny

In a critical misstep, the FBI targets Irshad Shaikh, a medical epidemiologist from Chester, Pennsylvania. Despite lacking the necessary microbiological expertise, Shaikh becomes a prime suspect based on vague tips and superficial connections.

Irshad Shaikh recounts the traumatic experience: “They broke the front door, they went in and they went upstairs... They zip tied her hands behind her back at gunpoint” (16:15).

The FBI’s investigation damages Shaikh’s reputation and career, leading to unjustified accusations and lasting personal harm. “Irshad lost his faculty position... His name stayed on an airline watch list for years” (27:53).

Discovery of the Leahy Letter: A Potential Lead

As the investigation stagnates, the FBI identifies another anthrax-laden letter addressed to Senator Patrick Leahy from a non-existent fourth-grade class in Trenton, NJ. This discovery provides a critical sample for forensic analysis.

Dan Goldberg highlights, “We had almost a full gram of highly purified powder, so that was a big moment for us” (24:26).

The letter's anthrax strain, identified as Ames, is subjected to rigorous testing at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRID). Bruce Ivins, a leading scientist, declares, “these are not garage spores” (25:37), dismissing theories that the anthrax could be produced outside a sophisticated laboratory.

Conflicting Theories: Domestic Lone Wolf vs. Iraqi State

Amid the investigation, conflicting narratives emerge. While the FBI leans towards a domestic “lone wolf” with scientific expertise, the White House propagates theories implicating Iraq, citing the presence of bentonite in the anthrax—a signature of Saddam Hussein’s biological weapons program.

Dan Goldberg explains, “The White House really thought Iraq was behind the anthrax letters” (32:13), yet further tests disprove this theory. The FBI concludes, “no chemical additives, which means no bentonite, which means no Iraq” (33:04).

These conflicting theories sow confusion and obscure the path to the true perpetrator, leaving the investigation floundering without concrete leads.

A Technological Breakthrough: Whole Genome Sequencing

With traditional methods yielding limited progress, Agent Decker turns to cutting-edge science—whole genome sequencing—to trace the anthrax back to its origin. This ambitious endeavor involves partnering with a startup led by Claire Fraser of TIGR (The Institute for Genomic Research).

Marcy Layton describes the urgency: “How urgent it was and how much pressure they were under to come up with a lead that was going to be meaningful” (36:44).

The collaboration aims to map the genetic fingerprint of the anthrax strain, potentially linking it to a specific laboratory and, ultimately, the killer. However, this innovative approach introduces new challenges and complexities, setting the stage for further developments in the investigation.

Conclusion: The Path Ahead

Episode 5 concludes with the FBI poised at a critical juncture. While they have dismantled erroneous leads like Irshad Shaikh, the real culprit remains elusive. The introduction of whole genome sequencing offers a promising yet uncertain avenue toward solving the case. As the hunt intensifies, the series teases forthcoming episodes that will explore deeper into the scientific pursuit and the unexpected proximity of the killer.

Jeremiah Kroll leaves listeners with a tantalizing preview: “Next time on the hunt for the anthrax killer... how close he already is” (37:35).

Key Quotes

• Jeremiah Kroll: “These were fighting words for a city that was down and out.” (00:44)
• Marcy Layton: “61 year old Cathy Nguyen's death from inhalation anthrax is baffling investigators...” (07:24)
• Dan Goldberg: “We had almost a full gram of highly purified powder, so that was a big moment for us” (24:26)
• Bruce Ivins: “These are not garage spores.” (25:37)
• Irshad Shaikh: “I am not the anthrax killer.” (38:16)

Production Credits

Aftermath: Hunt for the Anthrax Killer is a collaborative production by Wolf Entertainment, USG Audio, Dig Studios, and CBC Podcasts. The series is hosted by Jeremiah Kroll and executive produced by Scott Tiffany, Dick Wolf, Elliot Wolf, Stephen Michael, Josh Block, and Joniel Kastner, among others. For more compelling true crime stories, visit CBC’s podcast portal.

This detailed summary captures the intricate developments and emotional nuances of Episode 5, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a comprehensive understanding of the unfolding investigation and its broader implications.