Anthrax survivors's minds eased

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Some victims of the 2001 U.S. anthrax attacks say they have found closure after a scientist linked to the case apparently committed suicide.

Officials were planning to charge government scientist Bruce E. Ivins, 62, before he died in a suspected suicide Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

Ivins, a scientist at the Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick, Md., died after overdosing on prescription pills, authorities said.

Some people impacted by the attacks, which left five people dead and several others injured, say they are glad Ivins was tied to the case.

"This brings a lot of closure. It may not have brought the closure that others may have wanted, to see this person face justice as opposed to take his own life ... but I think they have the right person," said Leroy Richmond, 64, who retired from his job as a postal worker after being injured in the attacks.

The newspaper said Ivins may have been in a position to earn money from government spending on anthrax vaccines because he was named as one of the vaccine's inventors.