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August 10, 2008 |
Contact: Anna Christopher, NPR |
BROTHER OF SUSPECTED ANTHRAX KILLER BRUCE IVINS
IVINS SAYS HE “CAN’T IMAGINE”
HIS BROTHER COMMITTED THE CRIMES
INTERVIEW AIRING TODAY ON NPR’S WEEKEND EDITION; CONTINUES TOMORROW ON MORNING EDITION
August 10, 2008; Washington, D.C. – In his first interview since the FBI linked his brother, army researcher Bruce Ivins, with the 2001 anthrax attacks, Charles Ivins tells NPR News’ Dina Temple-Raston that he was “blindsided” by his brother’s suicide on July 29, and that he “can’t imagine” that Bruce committed the crimes.
“Of course, I am blood,” Ivins tells NPR. “I am his brother. And it is very hard for me to accept the idea that he would do something like that. I just can’t imagine that, ever.”
In the wide-ranging interview, Ivins says that he was aware that his brother was depressed about the ongoing anthrax investigation, and planned a visit in August to offer him support. “I knew that he and just about everyone else at Fort Detrick was under a microscope,” Ivins says. “He never did give me any details about what was going on, but I am sure he was being investigated.”
Ivins continues: “He was feeling pretty depressed over the investigation. Of course, who wouldn’t be? So, I felt, like a brother, he needed some support, so I was going to fly up there and be an objective listener.”
The first part of the interview with Ivins is airing this morning on NPR News’ Weekend Edition; Temple-Raston’s interview will continue tomorrow on Morning Edition. NPR News’ complete coverage of the anthrax investigation is at:
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93203213
All excerpts must be credited to NPR News. The audio of the interview will be available at approximately noon (ET) at www.NPR.org Television usage must include on-screen NPR News credit with NPR logo.
