NPR News Has Exclusive Interview With Charles Ivins, 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.