Jeremiah Crowell

FBI Special Agent Scott Decker is one of only a few agents to have investigated nearly the entire case. And he's got skills few other FBI agents have. A Ph.D. in genetics with a postdoc from Harvard. So that's why he's on the FBI's new hazmat team that was deployed at Ground Zero.

FBI Special Agent Scott Decker is one of only a few agents to have investigated nearly the entire case. And he's got skills few other FBI agents have. A Ph.D. in genetics with a postdoc from Harvard. So that's why he's on the FBI's new hazmat team that was deployed at Ground Zero.

And one reason they even had Decker and his team on site is because of something odd that had happened earlier that summer. In August of 2001, weeks before the Twin Towers fell or anyone got sick in Florida, the FBI uncovered something in Minnesota. And that discovery would ultimately set the stage for the entire anthrax investigation. One of Decker's FBI colleagues was right in the middle of it.

And one reason they even had Decker and his team on site is because of something odd that had happened earlier that summer. In August of 2001, weeks before the Twin Towers fell or anyone got sick in Florida, the FBI uncovered something in Minnesota. And that discovery would ultimately set the stage for the entire anthrax investigation. One of Decker's FBI colleagues was right in the middle of it.

Colleen Rowley was an FBI agent in Minnesota at the time.

Colleen Rowley was an FBI agent in Minnesota at the time.

The flight student's name was Zacharias Moussaoui. He was a Muslim French national. When FBI agents interviewed him, they learned his visa had lapsed. So they had him detained on an immigration violation. Agents suspected he was up to something, but they couldn't prove it. And remember, this is all before 9-11. So he's just one strange guy asking strange questions at a flight school.

The flight student's name was Zacharias Moussaoui. He was a Muslim French national. When FBI agents interviewed him, they learned his visa had lapsed. So they had him detained on an immigration violation. Agents suspected he was up to something, but they couldn't prove it. And remember, this is all before 9-11. So he's just one strange guy asking strange questions at a flight school.

They couldn't even get a search warrant for his computer. Then September 11th happened.

They couldn't even get a search warrant for his computer. Then September 11th happened.

Now they get the search warrant and search his computer.

Now they get the search warrant and search his computer.

A crop duster? Yeah. A crop duster is a small plane used in agriculture to spray pesticides.

A crop duster? Yeah. A crop duster is a small plane used in agriculture to spray pesticides.

What he's saying is that he is a member of al-Qaeda and that they were planning a second attack. The FBI already know the 9-11 hijackers were studying at flight schools around the U.S. So now agents worry that Moussaoui was part of a bigger plot still to come.

What he's saying is that he is a member of al-Qaeda and that they were planning a second attack. The FBI already know the 9-11 hijackers were studying at flight schools around the U.S. So now agents worry that Moussaoui was part of a bigger plot still to come.

That he was studying wind direction and crop dusters because he, and maybe the others, were planning to spray some kind of poison from the air. With all of this info in mind, President Bush and the Department of Justice take action, hoping to prevent whatever that second wave might be.

That he was studying wind direction and crop dusters because he, and maybe the others, were planning to spray some kind of poison from the air. With all of this info in mind, President Bush and the Department of Justice take action, hoping to prevent whatever that second wave might be.

They ground all crop-dusters across the country. That solves the immediate problem. But they still have a larger issue. Are there other extremist pilots out there waiting to launch an attack?

They ground all crop-dusters across the country. That solves the immediate problem. But they still have a larger issue. Are there other extremist pilots out there waiting to launch an attack?

Announcing the names was a call for help to the public. If you'd seen something, say something.

Announcing the names was a call for help to the public. If you'd seen something, say something.

And someone did.

And someone did.

Willie Lee is a crop-dusting pilot who had an eerily similar story to the one in Minnesota. Suspicious acting men from the Middle East asking unusual questions about planes.

Willie Lee is a crop-dusting pilot who had an eerily similar story to the one in Minnesota. Suspicious acting men from the Middle East asking unusual questions about planes.

But Willie isn't in Minnesota. He's halfway across the country at a different crop dusting business. He'd been flying crop dusting planes for decades. On any given day during his regular job, he'd pack as much as 500 gallons of pesticides into his Air Tractor 502 crop plane. He'd fly incredibly low to the ground to avoid spraying homes and people.

But Willie isn't in Minnesota. He's halfway across the country at a different crop dusting business. He'd been flying crop dusting planes for decades. On any given day during his regular job, he'd pack as much as 500 gallons of pesticides into his Air Tractor 502 crop plane. He'd fly incredibly low to the ground to avoid spraying homes and people.

But these men didn't sound like they wanted that experience. They were asking about tank capacity and flight distances. It sounded off. So six weeks before September 11th, Willie called the police. But the police didn't do anything about it. They couldn't really. No one had done anything illegal.

But these men didn't sound like they wanted that experience. They were asking about tank capacity and flight distances. It sounded off. So six weeks before September 11th, Willie called the police. But the police didn't do anything about it. They couldn't really. No one had done anything illegal.

After 9-11, when Willie saw the names and pictures of the hijackers on television, he knew he'd been right to be suspicious. Because some of the men who'd visited him were the same men who flew the planes into the Twin Towers. In fact, one of them was Mohammed Atta, the chief U.S. operative who directed the attack. Willie and his team called the FBI. This time, they took action.

After 9-11, when Willie saw the names and pictures of the hijackers on television, he knew he'd been right to be suspicious. Because some of the men who'd visited him were the same men who flew the planes into the Twin Towers. In fact, one of them was Mohammed Atta, the chief U.S. operative who directed the attack. Willie and his team called the FBI. This time, they took action.

So now the FBI has a question to answer. Why were Al-Qaeda members in at least two different places around the country trying to learn how to fly crop dusters? And meanwhile, there's another team with a question the FBI hasn't heard about yet. Dr. Bush and his colleagues, who are trying to figure out how a man in suburban Florida has anthrax. And now those two mysteries are about to collide.

So now the FBI has a question to answer. Why were Al-Qaeda members in at least two different places around the country trying to learn how to fly crop dusters? And meanwhile, there's another team with a question the FBI hasn't heard about yet. Dr. Bush and his colleagues, who are trying to figure out how a man in suburban Florida has anthrax. And now those two mysteries are about to collide.

Because the airfield that the 9-11 terrorists visited, Willie's airfield, it's less than an hour away from the home of anthrax patient Robert Stevens. Back in that hospital, Robert Stevens' health is deteriorating. And Dr. Bush still doesn't know for certain what he's dealing with.

Because the airfield that the 9-11 terrorists visited, Willie's airfield, it's less than an hour away from the home of anthrax patient Robert Stevens. Back in that hospital, Robert Stevens' health is deteriorating. And Dr. Bush still doesn't know for certain what he's dealing with.

It was the evening of September 11th, about 12 hours after the terrorist attacks, and Scott Decker, a special agent with the FBI, was already on the move. He'd packed his bags and said goodbye to his family in Virginia.

It was the evening of September 11th, about 12 hours after the terrorist attacks, and Scott Decker, a special agent with the FBI, was already on the move. He'd packed his bags and said goodbye to his family in Virginia.

He hung up. The people he works for are high up on the chain. In an instant, the CDC calls the National Department of Health, who calls the White House, who calls the Department of Justice. And now, finally, the FBI learns anthrax is in Florida. Because of his background in science, Agent Scott Decker knows an anthrax infection shouldn't have happened in Florida.

He hung up. The people he works for are high up on the chain. In an instant, the CDC calls the National Department of Health, who calls the White House, who calls the Department of Justice. And now, finally, the FBI learns anthrax is in Florida. Because of his background in science, Agent Scott Decker knows an anthrax infection shouldn't have happened in Florida.

So for the FBI, who'd been worried for weeks about some kind of biological attack, likely from the air, maybe involving crop dusters, if this isn't the work of the same 9-11 terrorists, who they now know took flight lessons at an airfield only an hour away, it's an awful lot of coincidences.

So for the FBI, who'd been worried for weeks about some kind of biological attack, likely from the air, maybe involving crop dusters, if this isn't the work of the same 9-11 terrorists, who they now know took flight lessons at an airfield only an hour away, it's an awful lot of coincidences.

And in order to do this, prove its terrorism, Decker and the FBI need to know what kind of anthrax this is. Because anthrax comes in strains, like the flu. And if they can figure out the strain, that might tell agents where or how Stevens got infected.

And in order to do this, prove its terrorism, Decker and the FBI need to know what kind of anthrax this is. Because anthrax comes in strains, like the flu. And if they can figure out the strain, that might tell agents where or how Stevens got infected.

FBI agents head to the state park to look for any signs that Stevens could have been infected in nature. But the scarier scenario is that the anthrax came from a laboratory. Because if it's from a lab, there's a good chance somebody spread it on purpose. To figure this out, the FBI knows exactly who to turn to.

FBI agents head to the state park to look for any signs that Stevens could have been infected in nature. But the scarier scenario is that the anthrax came from a laboratory. Because if it's from a lab, there's a good chance somebody spread it on purpose. To figure this out, the FBI knows exactly who to turn to.

Dr. Paul Keim hoped to find the source of the anthrax in a biological database he'd been creating for decades.

Dr. Paul Keim hoped to find the source of the anthrax in a biological database he'd been creating for decades.

So as Robert Stevens is lying in a coma, investigators put a sample of his spinal fluid on a private jet and fly it halfway across the country directly to Paul.

So as Robert Stevens is lying in a coma, investigators put a sample of his spinal fluid on a private jet and fly it halfway across the country directly to Paul.

A few hours later, Paul gets in his truck and heads to the small local airport in Flagstaff. He doesn't know quite what to expect.

A few hours later, Paul gets in his truck and heads to the small local airport in Flagstaff. He doesn't know quite what to expect.

Paul may not be in a Hollywood movie right now, but in a way, he is a detective. And in this very moment, the fate of American biosecurity is quite literally in his hands. So he takes that package and drives it back to his lab. And there he goes into the biosafety suite and opens the box.

Paul may not be in a Hollywood movie right now, but in a way, he is a detective. And in this very moment, the fate of American biosecurity is quite literally in his hands. So he takes that package and drives it back to his lab. And there he goes into the biosafety suite and opens the box.

And inside that is a vial with the spores found in Robert Stevens' spinal fluid.

And inside that is a vial with the spores found in Robert Stevens' spinal fluid.

Once Paul knows that, he needs to figure out what strain it is.

Once Paul knows that, he needs to figure out what strain it is.

Think about this. Here's a college science professor, an expert in theoretical bioterrorism. And now he's seeing right up close anthrax from what appears to be an actual bioterrorist.

Think about this. Here's a college science professor, an expert in theoretical bioterrorism. And now he's seeing right up close anthrax from what appears to be an actual bioterrorist.

While everyone else was trying like hell to get out of New York City, Decker drove all night to get in.

While everyone else was trying like hell to get out of New York City, Decker drove all night to get in.

Paul's lab is the only place in the world that now knows the very threat weighing on Agent Scott Decker and the FBI is the real deal.

Paul's lab is the only place in the world that now knows the very threat weighing on Agent Scott Decker and the FBI is the real deal.

For the moment, the story hasn't spread to the media. Paul Keim and the FBI have only a short window to try to get answers before the bad news spreads. And they're all wondering the same thing. Was it the 9-11 hijackers who deployed this anthrax? Jean Malecki, the health director in Florida, worries about that too.

For the moment, the story hasn't spread to the media. Paul Keim and the FBI have only a short window to try to get answers before the bad news spreads. And they're all wondering the same thing. Was it the 9-11 hijackers who deployed this anthrax? Jean Malecki, the health director in Florida, worries about that too.

If there was an aerial attack, is it possible the 9-11 hijackers, or people working with them, had dropped anthrax in an area that included Robert Stevens' backyard? Is that how it ended up in his system? Stevens' home was less than a mile from an airstrip, so his house could have easily been in the path of travel.

If there was an aerial attack, is it possible the 9-11 hijackers, or people working with them, had dropped anthrax in an area that included Robert Stevens' backyard? Is that how it ended up in his system? Stevens' home was less than a mile from an airstrip, so his house could have easily been in the path of travel.

Jean takes a biohazard crew to scour the property from top to bottom.

Jean takes a biohazard crew to scour the property from top to bottom.

The powder is so fine that if it was sprayed from the sky, it could be anywhere.

The powder is so fine that if it was sprayed from the sky, it could be anywhere.

On the surface, nothing looks suspicious. There's no obvious white powder anywhere. But Jean sends samples she's taken to her lab. She then heads back to the hospital to check on Robert Stevens and discovers... A deadly disease putting a Lantana man in the hospital... The story was out.

On the surface, nothing looks suspicious. There's no obvious white powder anywhere. But Jean sends samples she's taken to her lab. She then heads back to the hospital to check on Robert Stevens and discovers... A deadly disease putting a Lantana man in the hospital... The story was out.

State and federal health officials hurry to put together press conferences to address everyone's concerns.

State and federal health officials hurry to put together press conferences to address everyone's concerns.

As one of those well-trained physicians, Dr. Larry Bush is called upon to answer some tough questions.

As one of those well-trained physicians, Dr. Larry Bush is called upon to answer some tough questions.

Larry knows that historically, inhalation anthrax is likely fatal, but he's conflicted about sharing the worst-case scenario.

Larry knows that historically, inhalation anthrax is likely fatal, but he's conflicted about sharing the worst-case scenario.

Meanwhile, the press keep on with their questions, and the CDC seems entirely focused on hitting the same reassuring note over and over again.

Meanwhile, the press keep on with their questions, and the CDC seems entirely focused on hitting the same reassuring note over and over again.

If the hope was to keep people calm, to reassure the media that this situation was nothing to worry about, It didn't work.

If the hope was to keep people calm, to reassure the media that this situation was nothing to worry about, It didn't work.

The chaos Dr. Larry Bush was afraid of is here.

The chaos Dr. Larry Bush was afraid of is here.

They arrived outside Manhattan near dawn. But those orange letters were right. New York City was closed. Even to the FBI. Bridges were shut down. Landlines were out. And cell phones weren't working well. So Decker went to an FBI field office in New Jersey, just across the river.

They arrived outside Manhattan near dawn. But those orange letters were right. New York City was closed. Even to the FBI. Bridges were shut down. Landlines were out. And cell phones weren't working well. So Decker went to an FBI field office in New Jersey, just across the river.

Everyone is now watching Larry's team closely to understand what this one case of anthrax might mean for the rest of the world. And the news he has is not looking good. Bob Stevens is in the ICU. He's not doing well. Robert Stevens' health is failing quickly, and Larry fears the worst. With the story out in the world, panic is going to grow. And the public wouldn't be wrong to worry.

Everyone is now watching Larry's team closely to understand what this one case of anthrax might mean for the rest of the world. And the news he has is not looking good. Bob Stevens is in the ICU. He's not doing well. Robert Stevens' health is failing quickly, and Larry fears the worst. With the story out in the world, panic is going to grow. And the public wouldn't be wrong to worry.

It seems Robert Stevens may be patient zero of a colossal new attack. Agent Decker and the FBI now face what could be the largest bioterror threat in American history. So the question on their minds is, if al-Qaeda does have anthrax, what will they do with it next?

It seems Robert Stevens may be patient zero of a colossal new attack. Agent Decker and the FBI now face what could be the largest bioterror threat in American history. So the question on their minds is, if al-Qaeda does have anthrax, what will they do with it next?

But it seems that agents are closing in on their suspects fast. The confirmation of a plan for a second wave attack, the pilots learning about crop dusters, the airstrip near Stephen's house, it's all adding up. The FBI just needs a little hard evidence, a link that proves who did this so they can stop more deaths.

But it seems that agents are closing in on their suspects fast. The confirmation of a plan for a second wave attack, the pilots learning about crop dusters, the airstrip near Stephen's house, it's all adding up. The FBI just needs a little hard evidence, a link that proves who did this so they can stop more deaths.

But of course, it's not going to be that easy. The information they're about to get will send the FBI down a rabbit hole of false suspects, shocking twists, and damning revelations, including a liar in their midst. This season on Aftermath, the hunt for the anthrax killer.

But of course, it's not going to be that easy. The information they're about to get will send the FBI down a rabbit hole of false suspects, shocking twists, and damning revelations, including a liar in their midst. This season on Aftermath, the hunt for the anthrax killer.

Aftermath, The Hunt for the Anthrax Killer is a production of Wolf Entertainment, USG Audio and Dig Studios in collaboration with CBC Podcasts. The series is hosted by me, Jeremiah Kroll. It's created, written and executive produced by Scott Tiffany and me at Dig Studios.

Aftermath, The Hunt for the Anthrax Killer is a production of Wolf Entertainment, USG Audio and Dig Studios in collaboration with CBC Podcasts. The series is hosted by me, Jeremiah Kroll. It's created, written and executive produced by Scott Tiffany and me at Dig Studios.

Aftermath is executive produced by Dick Wolf, Elliot Wolf and Stephen Michael at Wolf Entertainment, Josh Block at USG Audio and Janiel Kastner at Spoke Media. The series is produced by Kelly Kolf. Story editing by Janiel Kastner. Sound design and mix by Evan Arnett. Original composition by John O'Hara. Production by Spoke Media. Production support for USG Audio by Josh Lalonghi.

Aftermath is executive produced by Dick Wolf, Elliot Wolf and Stephen Michael at Wolf Entertainment, Josh Block at USG Audio and Janiel Kastner at Spoke Media. The series is produced by Kelly Kolf. Story editing by Janiel Kastner. Sound design and mix by Evan Arnett. Original composition by John O'Hara. Production by Spoke Media. Production support for USG Audio by Josh Lalonghi.

Tanya Springer is the senior manager of CBC Podcasts. Arif Noorani is the director of CBC Podcasts. Thank you for listening. Tune in next week for an all-new episode of Aftermath, The Hunt for the Anthrax Killer. Or you can binge the whole series ad-free by subscribing to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts. That was the first episode of Aftermath, Hunt for the Anthrax Killer.

Tanya Springer is the senior manager of CBC Podcasts. Arif Noorani is the director of CBC Podcasts. Thank you for listening. Tune in next week for an all-new episode of Aftermath, The Hunt for the Anthrax Killer. Or you can binge the whole series ad-free by subscribing to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts. That was the first episode of Aftermath, Hunt for the Anthrax Killer.

If you like what you heard, episode two is waiting for you right now. Find and follow Aftermath wherever you get your podcasts. For more CBC podcasts, go to cbc.ca slash podcasts.

If you like what you heard, episode two is waiting for you right now. Find and follow Aftermath wherever you get your podcasts. For more CBC podcasts, go to cbc.ca slash podcasts.

He landed near Ground Zero and, like everyone there, struggled to make sense of what had just happened.

He landed near Ground Zero and, like everyone there, struggled to make sense of what had just happened.

But Decker isn't looking at the scene the same way as most first responders. In fact, he's there for something else. What the public didn't know at the time is that there was another looming threat.

But Decker isn't looking at the scene the same way as most first responders. In fact, he's there for something else. What the public didn't know at the time is that there was another looming threat.

There was reliable intelligence from the weeks right before 9-11 that al-Qaeda was planning a different kind of attack in addition to September 11th, one involving the release of biotoxins into the air. A second attack was going to be coming at any moment. Decker was part of the FBI's new hazardous response team.

There was reliable intelligence from the weeks right before 9-11 that al-Qaeda was planning a different kind of attack in addition to September 11th, one involving the release of biotoxins into the air. A second attack was going to be coming at any moment. Decker was part of the FBI's new hazardous response team.

So while everyone else was looking at the wreckage, he was on high alert, searching for signs, like unusual illnesses, that this second attack, this time biological, was already underway. What no one knew at the time is that they were looking in the wrong city.

So while everyone else was looking at the wreckage, he was on high alert, searching for signs, like unusual illnesses, that this second attack, this time biological, was already underway. What no one knew at the time is that they were looking in the wrong city.

This is a CBC Podcast. In the fall of 2001, while Americans were still grappling with the horror of 9-11... another terror was quietly brewing. Soon, envelopes filled with white powder started showing up at media outlets and government buildings. The letters dominated the news cycle, created mass panic, and killed innocent people just opening their mail.

This is a CBC Podcast. In the fall of 2001, while Americans were still grappling with the horror of 9-11... another terror was quietly brewing. Soon, envelopes filled with white powder started showing up at media outlets and government buildings. The letters dominated the news cycle, created mass panic, and killed innocent people just opening their mail.

Deadly anthrax spores sent through the U.S. mail. One of the most lethal weapons of all time comes from an almost indestructible bacteria called anthrax. And in the fall of 2001, envelopes laced with powdered anthrax started showing up in the mail.

Deadly anthrax spores sent through the U.S. mail. One of the most lethal weapons of all time comes from an almost indestructible bacteria called anthrax. And in the fall of 2001, envelopes laced with powdered anthrax started showing up in the mail.

There's a warning. Take penicillin now.

There's a warning. Take penicillin now.

You die now.

You die now.

The anthrax attacks created chaos. The U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court were contaminated and shut down. Thousands of buildings across the country were evacuated. And innocent people died just from opening their mail.

The anthrax attacks created chaos. The U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court were contaminated and shut down. Thousands of buildings across the country were evacuated. And innocent people died just from opening their mail.

What's weird is that almost 25 years later, most Americans still have no idea who was behind these attacks. Anthrax was on the nightly news for months. And then it's like the story just disappeared. I've talked to hundreds of people about it. And no one, it seems, remembers what happened with this case. Who mailed those letters? Do you know? My name's Jeremiah Kroll.

What's weird is that almost 25 years later, most Americans still have no idea who was behind these attacks. Anthrax was on the nightly news for months. And then it's like the story just disappeared. I've talked to hundreds of people about it. And no one, it seems, remembers what happened with this case. Who mailed those letters? Do you know? My name's Jeremiah Kroll.

I'm a documentary filmmaker, and I was living and working in New York when all this happened. In those weeks right after 9-11, I remember the stillness of the streets and the collective sense of raw outrage and sadness in the city. And then, anthrax. I felt the fear those letters created, the terrifying way they just kept coming, one after another.

I'm a documentary filmmaker, and I was living and working in New York when all this happened. In those weeks right after 9-11, I remember the stillness of the streets and the collective sense of raw outrage and sadness in the city. And then, anthrax. I felt the fear those letters created, the terrifying way they just kept coming, one after another.

Almost two decades later, when the pandemic hit, I felt that same sense of unpredictable terror in the air. It reminded me of the anthrax story, and I wondered, whatever happened with that? So my team and I started digging into it. We tracked down people who were involved, either affected by the attacks or part of the investigation, FBI agents, victims, wrongly accused suspects.

Almost two decades later, when the pandemic hit, I felt that same sense of unpredictable terror in the air. It reminded me of the anthrax story, and I wondered, whatever happened with that? So my team and I started digging into it. We tracked down people who were involved, either affected by the attacks or part of the investigation, FBI agents, victims, wrongly accused suspects.

And the stories they shared, many for the first time, surprised me. They painted a picture of these events and their aftermath that revealed how, at its core, this was all so personal. Like stories about investigative mistakes right from the start, about civil liberties trampled, and about lives destroyed.

And the stories they shared, many for the first time, surprised me. They painted a picture of these events and their aftermath that revealed how, at its core, this was all so personal. Like stories about investigative mistakes right from the start, about civil liberties trampled, and about lives destroyed.

And even after all of that, after the seven-year odyssey the FBI went on to try to solve this case, some people still wonder if the FBI got it right. I would not consider the case to be closed. In my mind, it certainly is not solved.

And even after all of that, after the seven-year odyssey the FBI went on to try to solve this case, some people still wonder if the FBI got it right. I would not consider the case to be closed. In my mind, it certainly is not solved.

This is a story about people who have to look at chaos and try to make sense of it while it's still happening and how hard it is to get that right.

This is a story about people who have to look at chaos and try to make sense of it while it's still happening and how hard it is to get that right.

But what's strange is if you ask people now what happened with the anthrax case, almost no one knows. It's like the whole story just disappeared. Who mailed those letters? Do you know? I'm Jeremiah Crowell. I'm a documentary filmmaker and host of Aftermath Hunt for the Anthrax Killer.

But what's strange is if you ask people now what happened with the anthrax case, almost no one knows. It's like the whole story just disappeared. Who mailed those letters? Do you know? I'm Jeremiah Crowell. I'm a documentary filmmaker and host of Aftermath Hunt for the Anthrax Killer.

It's about the stories we tell ourselves and the price we pay when we tell the wrong ones. We're going to go inside one of the largest FBI investigations in history to figure out why we all lost track of this case and to explore the aftershocks we still feel today. From Wolf Entertainment, this is Aftermath, the hunt for the anthrax killer. Episode 1, Isolated Incident.

It's about the stories we tell ourselves and the price we pay when we tell the wrong ones. We're going to go inside one of the largest FBI investigations in history to figure out why we all lost track of this case and to explore the aftershocks we still feel today. From Wolf Entertainment, this is Aftermath, the hunt for the anthrax killer. Episode 1, Isolated Incident.

I want to go back to the beginning of this story, to a time when most Americans never gave much thought to face masks or deadly particles in the air. It's October 2nd, 2001, three weeks after the attacks of 9-11, and we're in suburban Florida. It's the middle of the night, and a man named Robert Stevens wakes up feeling sick. He has chills and a fever. Robert Stevens is 63.

I want to go back to the beginning of this story, to a time when most Americans never gave much thought to face masks or deadly particles in the air. It's October 2nd, 2001, three weeks after the attacks of 9-11, and we're in suburban Florida. It's the middle of the night, and a man named Robert Stevens wakes up feeling sick. He has chills and a fever. Robert Stevens is 63.

He's a newspaper photo editor who lives in Lantana, Florida. That's a coastal town about an hour north of Miami. He's raised a few kids and is getting close to retirement. But when he wakes up that night, he feels disoriented, dizzy, and things seem to be getting worse. His wife, Maureen, is worried.

He's a newspaper photo editor who lives in Lantana, Florida. That's a coastal town about an hour north of Miami. He's raised a few kids and is getting close to retirement. But when he wakes up that night, he feels disoriented, dizzy, and things seem to be getting worse. His wife, Maureen, is worried.

Dr. Larry Bush was chairman of infectious diseases and chief of staff at the JFK Medical Center in West Palm Beach, the hospital closest to Robert and Maureen Stevens' house.

Dr. Larry Bush was chairman of infectious diseases and chief of staff at the JFK Medical Center in West Palm Beach, the hospital closest to Robert and Maureen Stevens' house.

Robert's condition gets worse. He goes into a coma. Larry and his team suspect that he has meningitis, an infection that makes the brain swell. So he looks at Robert's spinal fluid.

Robert's condition gets worse. He goes into a coma. Larry and his team suspect that he has meningitis, an infection that makes the brain swell. So he looks at Robert's spinal fluid.

In a healthy patient, Larry shouldn't see much of anything.

In a healthy patient, Larry shouldn't see much of anything.

Larry can't get his head around this. Most of us are now familiar with anthrax largely because of this case. But back then, in 2001, this was nuts. Most people didn't think about anthrax at all. And for doctors, it was something you read about in textbooks, not something you expected to see in a patient.

Larry can't get his head around this. Most of us are now familiar with anthrax largely because of this case. But back then, in 2001, this was nuts. Most people didn't think about anthrax at all. And for doctors, it was something you read about in textbooks, not something you expected to see in a patient.

In this series, I'll take you inside one of the largest, twistiest investigations in FBI history, with the agents, scientists, and experts who were there. From the science that cracked it, to the mistakes that almost derailed it, to the lives nearly ruined by it. This eight-part series reveals how the attacks and this sometimes controversial investigation

In this series, I'll take you inside one of the largest, twistiest investigations in FBI history, with the agents, scientists, and experts who were there. From the science that cracked it, to the mistakes that almost derailed it, to the lives nearly ruined by it. This eight-part series reveals how the attacks and this sometimes controversial investigation

But it just doesn't make sense. Anthrax is a natural bacteria that usually only infects livestock. Cattle tend to catch it in dry rural areas. They eat or breathe in anthrax cells called spores while they're grazing. So it's not like a guy in suburban Florida is going to just accidentally breathe this stuff in while going about his life.

But it just doesn't make sense. Anthrax is a natural bacteria that usually only infects livestock. Cattle tend to catch it in dry rural areas. They eat or breathe in anthrax cells called spores while they're grazing. So it's not like a guy in suburban Florida is going to just accidentally breathe this stuff in while going about his life.

And if he did somehow, he'd be the first person in the entire U.S. in almost 25 years. And that person had gotten it from inhaling anthrax spores off of wool shipped over from Pakistan. Larry runs more tests.

And if he did somehow, he'd be the first person in the entire U.S. in almost 25 years. And that person had gotten it from inhaling anthrax spores off of wool shipped over from Pakistan. Larry runs more tests.

He sees tiny, blue-stained bacterial rectangles all in a line. Imagine looking down on a train from high in the air.

He sees tiny, blue-stained bacterial rectangles all in a line. Imagine looking down on a train from high in the air.

In retrospect, now knowing how everything would play out, This is the moment that it all began. Right here, for the first time in 25 years, it seems that someone in America has anthrax in their lungs.

In retrospect, now knowing how everything would play out, This is the moment that it all began. Right here, for the first time in 25 years, it seems that someone in America has anthrax in their lungs.

Imagine you're him right now. You're the chief of staff for the whole hospital, and you're very sure that what you see is one thing. But that one thing is so rare and so deadly that when you tell people about it, they'll either not believe you or panic. My fear was creating chaos in the hospital. Chaos not just in his hospital, but also likely all of Florida and probably the nation.

Imagine you're him right now. You're the chief of staff for the whole hospital, and you're very sure that what you see is one thing. But that one thing is so rare and so deadly that when you tell people about it, they'll either not believe you or panic. My fear was creating chaos in the hospital. Chaos not just in his hospital, but also likely all of Florida and probably the nation.

After 9-11, the whole country was bracing for another attack. Larry's afraid that this could be it.

After 9-11, the whole country was bracing for another attack. Larry's afraid that this could be it.

He has to risk creating that chaos. So he does. Larry calls Dr. Jean Malecki, a friend and colleague who's the health director for all of Palm Beach County. But she was busy at that moment.

He has to risk creating that chaos. So he does. Larry calls Dr. Jean Malecki, a friend and colleague who's the health director for all of Palm Beach County. But she was busy at that moment.

Larry tells Gene he thinks Robert Stevens has anthrax. They both know more tests need to be done to prove it. So Jean calls up the Centers for Disease Control. But the CDC pushes back. They refuse to believe anyone could catch anthrax in suburban Florida.

Larry tells Gene he thinks Robert Stevens has anthrax. They both know more tests need to be done to prove it. So Jean calls up the Centers for Disease Control. But the CDC pushes back. They refuse to believe anyone could catch anthrax in suburban Florida.

reshaped America, and the surprising hidden consequences that still linger today. You're about to hear episode one. If you like it, you'll find more by searching Aftermath, Hunt for the Anthrax Killer, wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, here we go.

reshaped America, and the surprising hidden consequences that still linger today. You're about to hear episode one. If you like it, you'll find more by searching Aftermath, Hunt for the Anthrax Killer, wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, here we go.

Despite the CDC's hesitancy and the testing that still needs to be done, Larry and Jean have little doubt that it's anthrax. The real worry on their minds is that this could be the beginning of another attack by al-Qaeda. And what they don't know is that the FBI is worried about another attack, too.

Despite the CDC's hesitancy and the testing that still needs to be done, Larry and Jean have little doubt that it's anthrax. The real worry on their minds is that this could be the beginning of another attack by al-Qaeda. And what they don't know is that the FBI is worried about another attack, too.