FBI Says Powder in Car a Likely Halloween Hoax
A white powdery substance discovered on the dashboard of an unlocked car in Bethesda does not contain anthrax spores, and agents are investigating the case as a possible Halloween hoax, the FBI announced.
“It is negative. It is not anthrax,” FBI spokesman Peter Gulotta said. “We are in the process of notifying the victim. This joins the many other hoaxes that have been called in lately.”
The inhaled form of anthrax has claimed four lives nationally since early October, all but one believed linked to deliberately contaminated mail. The method of transmission in the fourth death, of a New York City hospital worker, is a mystery.
Health officials said no new cases of anthrax have surfaced locally in more than a week.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
