Federal officials are preparing a report on the status of the investigation into the 2001 mailing of anthrax, which killed five people in the United States.
But after more than 8,000 interviews and chasing leads on four continents, investigators don't appear to be close to solving the case, The Washington Post reported Friday.
Several envelopes containing anthrax were mailed to locations in Washington and New York, Five people died and 17 people became ill after being exposed to anthrax spores. Several government and post office buildings were closed because of contamination.
The Post said that in the last year, the FBI has reduced the number of agents involved with the investigation from 31 to 21 and the number of postal inspectors from 13 to nine but an FBI spokeswoman said those involved are "steadfastly committed" to bringing those responsible to justice.
The newspaper said investigators are compiling a large report for FBI Director Robert Mueller recapping the probe to help determine where the investigation should go from here.
The U.S. government's offer of a $2.5 million reward for information leading to a conviction in the case, remains valid.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
