Cyanide death update: 1 pound found, could’ve killed hundreds
A new detail in the mystery Denver cyanide death of Somali Canadian Saleman Abdirahman Dirie that I blogged earlier today. Investigators now say they found a whole pound of cyanide in his hotel room– enough to kill “hundreds.”
But, you know, nothing suspicious here. Just your run-of-the-mill one-pound cyanide suicide case which there is no reason to believe is terrorist-related in any way.
Police confirmed Wednesday that they found about a pound of sodium cyanide in a Denver hotel room where the body of a Canadian man was discovered earlier this week.
Police spokesman John White identified the white powder as sodium cyanide, the crystal form of cyanide. Fire officials say they found a bottle containing about a pound of the white powder, or between a pint and a quart by volume.
An expert told the Denver Post that the amount of cyanide is enough to kill hundreds of people.
The medical examiner’s office said it is awaiting test results to determine whether cyanide killed 29-year-old Saleman Abdirahman Dirie, of Ottawa, Canada.
His body was found Monday inside Room 408 at The Burnsley Hotel, which is about four blocks from the state Capitol. White said Dirie had been dead for several days. Friends told The Ottawa Sun that he was dead six days before he was discovered.
Foul play is not suspected and his death appears to be an isolated incident
Ho-hum…
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Trackbacks
- Update on Denver Cyanide story « The Daley Gator
- FBI Obfuscation Watch: Somali Muslim found dead in Denver hotel room with a pound of cyanide — FBI says it’s not terrorism » Winds Of Jihad
- Nightly Ramble: Polls; Advisers; Silence, Dissent!; more | BitsBlog
- Steynian 224 « Free Mark Steyn!
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Categories: Homeland Security
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How can you print those two things in the same article?
I keep a few pounds of sodium cyanide in the garage next to the charcoal and dog food.
I don’t see what the big deal is.
I like to sprinkle it on chicken. Mmmmmmm…
Nothing to see here, people. Move all. Just a “guy” with a pound of cyanide.
This does not sound like a post Sept. 11 response. This sounds like the pre-9/11 response. You know, the response that involves a search for suspects who broke the law, instead of committed acts of terror. They should throw the kitchen sink at this case, instead we get “This sounds like an isolated incident”. We’re a nation at war, and have been attacked. Somebody needs to wake the hell up!!!!!!!!!!!111
MM, has your “reporting” turned up something different than what the FBI is telling us? If so, blog away. In the meantime, I’ll wait for updates from the FBI as their investigation progresses.
barry f. lmao, no kidding. geeze.
He was dead in that hotel room for six days.
Pretty lousy housekeeping…
Hellyeah, Boiler, doesn’t everybody keep a pound or two of ricin handy for a rainy day? T’aint nuthin.
Think I night be running low on mustard gas myself, better check the nightstand.
You all know how delicate the liberals are around Denver… no need to upset them over a little incident like this.
/sarcasm off
I bet moon god worship has something to do with this post 9-11 non terrorist event.
ROPMA
Reminds ya of the article in the last week or so about the guy who was found with his head chain-sawed off in Britian, doesn’t it? The police found nothing unusual about that.
Friends told The Ottawa Sun that he was dead six days before he was discovered.
What the hell is going on with this 9/10 mentality! They are about to experience a target rich environment in Denver over the next couple of weeks and the local authorities say nothing to see just move along? I really believe we have been more lucky then good when it comes to preventing another mass casualty attack when you thing of the bumbling fools running the alphabet agencies that are supposed to respond to credible threats to our national security.
This is the only news source thus far I’ve heard about this – I believe it’s an important story which more people should be aware of – and this is one reason why I read Michelle Malkin.
However, I am very disappointed in another item on today’s blog which I will shortly comment on under today’s Arkansas tragedy item.
Maybe the staff had an aversion to cyanide?
For some reason, you strike me for as the type of person that looks as the FBI as incompetent storm troopers, rather than the final answer on something, dakine. But, maybe, it’s just my take on you.
But, then again, one guy dead in a hotel room for six days and a pound of cyanide, what would seem suspicious about something like that, right?
While I have very little faith in the abilities of our purportedly representative government officials, it could very well be that the authorities are playing this down while they continue their investigation. With all of the hoopla about to happen in Denver, you can rest assured that there will be pressure put on someone to resolve this case whether we the people are ever informed about the results or not.
Still, I wonder … if a radical Muslim did attack the democratic base … at a convention or otherwise … how long it would take for the press and the dems to label him/her part of the vast right wing conspiracy?
And no, I am not encouraging radical anybody to attack the dem base, lest my comments be misconstrued by someone with less than questionable mental capacities.
No need to worry they are from the GOVERNMENT and THEY ARE HERE TO HELP!
STAY CALM ALL IS WELL, STAY CALM!
I am CALM I live a LONGGGG WAY FROM THIS OAISI and I would not attened this EVENT even if I was paid……
I think the investigating officer is Officer BarBrady ( probably misspelled the name) from South Park. Nothing to see here, everyone has a pound of cyanide in a town that is about to host a major political event.
I travel a lot and when I am going to be in a city for more than a week I usually stay somewhere with cooking facilities … in those types of hotels and inns you only get housekeeping once a week … part of how they keep the rate down below the big fancy hotel with the restaurant and bar and all those “amenities” …
I keep wondering what the headlines would be if he had been found with 2 handguns and 50 rounds of ammo.
Then we would be hearing plenty about the threat he posed.
Is it just me, but shouldn’t “four blocks away from the state Capital” raise any concerns?
So the guy likes a little salt with his french fries, so what? I guess too much salt is bad for your health!
You don’t know anything about me Barry, and your sarcasm is tiresome. I’m a Goldwater conservative (non-neo to you), and I have faith that the FBI will do its job. I try to avoid jumping to conclusions and making judgments before all the facts are in. I work in downtown Denver and live in a southern suburb BTW.
That would appear to be true. I would never peg you as a “Goldwater conservative.”
Damn, sharia is coming to DENVER?
Thanks a bunch DNC.
had it been a Republican, there would have been all sorts of conspiracy coverage.
Had the DNC convention been targeted by “Canadians” of unknown religious background, well, it just goes to show that we Americans aren’t listening hard enough to the rest of the world.
I don’t know you either, and I’m not implying anything…but so was Hillary.
Based on what Barry? Pick an issue and then presume to tell me what my position would be based on my posting history here. I guess to be completely forthcoming and if I had to label myself politically, I’d identify as a libertarian conservative.
Just the MSM getting ready for an Obama presidency, especially when it all takes place in Denver…
You’re right Sulla…40 years ago. BTW, you need to update your blog.
Maybe its the libertarian part that throws me on pegging you, dakine.
Cyanide??? ewwww! & he swore it was cocaine. Damn. Was it at least organic?
I guess the convention goers should bring their own stash huh?
Oh, yeah, & cancel the flight (they might check you know) & take greyhound…
I hope that the authorities in St. Paul Minnesota are taking thorough notes on this.
My collie says:
They don’t care WHO they attack, just as long as they kill infidels.
And, Barry?
It is a material commonly used in industry. I’ve see pallets of the stuff at metal treating plants. Not necessarily suspicious.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_cyanide#Applications
Do you notice how the police always think there’s “nothing suspicious” about people having horribly toxic chemicals…in their freakin hotel rooms???
Guy dies of ricin poisoning, with ricin in his hotel room. No biggie! Happens all the time!
Fer instance, when I check into my hotel I ALWAYS take the most dangerous, poisonous, toxic thing in my car and….bring it up to my room!…where I can keep my eye on it.
Face it: our police are more interested in suiting up for SWAT raids to take down weed users, than they are dealing with terrorism.
On August 13th, 2008 at 10:23 pm, Alphonse said:
It is a material commonly used in industry. I’ve see pallets of the stuff at metal treating plants. Not necessarily suspicious.
And dynamite is commonly used in construction… oh but wait… this was a hotel room.
Damnit.. I left the lid off the reactor again..
So.. this is about suspicious material just left about half haphazardly and a dead body that JUST so happened to be nearby?..
hmm.. again..
Dakine.. if you are really are waiting for the official FBI report.. what the hell are you doing still hanging out here?
You guys are missing the bigger picture here.
Michelle gave him the cyanide.
I’ve not taken the time to read the comments, but while reading this post, the first thing that popped into my mind was the Democratic National Convention soon to begin there in Denver could have been the possible target for a cyanide terrorist attack…
I can’t help but wonder if it was not suicide at all, but rather an unfortunate accident (for him) before he had a chance to kill heaps of people – unless of course he’s a chemical salesperson.. how else can you explain that volume of an extremely toxic substance?
hmm.. quite possibly over-reaction now I think a bit more. Farmers use heaps of cyanide to kill possums and other pests, and l pound is not much at all in that context. This guy was a salesman – what does he sell usually? chemicals?
Yup, I hate checking into a hotel room infested with possums and other pests … especially in a large city
Sorry NYC123Me, I just could not resist that one. It was not a personal attack, just an opening too sweet to pass up.
where they are found so frequently. However, it could be that this is something that he deals with at least in a professional working environment and he may be fully justified in his possession of it. However, I would think that certain hazmat issues would be in place for people carrying the stuff as is common with many dangerous chemicals. If this is the case, he may just have paid for his stupidity or inattention to details regarding the seriousness of his wares.
All jokes aside though, I do find that scenario highly improbable. Still, there will not be anything certain until the reports are released … if they ever are.
Many instances like this are allowed to die a quiet death with their remnants showing up only on conspiracy theorists sites. Still, with the upcoming political events and that much of a deadly substance in personal possession, it does make a thinking person wonder.
Sorry about the (lack of) editing. My HD died and I am running a liveCD with Konqueror that does not allow the preview button to work. I will check before submitting from now on.
A little common sense people. “Foul play is not suspected and his death appears to be an isolated incident” doesn’t mean that good ol’ Saleman wasn’t up to no good, just that he probably caused his own death, and it doesn’t appear that someone else offed him. Poor fella probably got what he deserved.
And how many hotel rooms with dead guys named Abdirahman have been found in metal treatment plants, Alphonse?
Personally, I’d crash at even a run-down Super8 before scoping out hazmat storage facilities for a good night’s sleep. But that’s just me.
Nothing terrorism related here….just like there was nothing terrorism related with the Goose Creek jihadi….I do hope the FBI realizes how pathetic they look when they say stupid crap like “nothing terrorism” related everytime something obviously terrorism related comes up….but I will guess not.
For those who do not remember the great reporting of the Goose Creek jihad by the esteemed Michelle a reminder…
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/08/12/mystery-at-goose-creek-who-are-the-accused-pipe-bomb-boys/
OK, time for conspiracy theories to kick in :
So big deal, someone left a pound behind when they offed some weak minded mule clown who brought the stuff into Denver.
The real question should be how many pounds did they take with them?
I suppose who they might be isn’t a concern. Just some average folks.
I can’t figure out why the print press has no sense of curiosity.
If somebody told me that this was just an isolated incident of no consequence, and I was a reporter, I’d be jumping all over this. I’m not a reporter and I’m concerned why a former resident of a terrorist country has a pound of cyanide just ahead of the Dem’s convention???????? WTF?????
And they wonder why the press gets no respect.. except from each other…
Always remember that the FBI may decide that we do not have a need to know more information. Waiting for followup from them may be like the man who stands on a hill with his mouth open waiting for a roasted duck to fly in to it. He will have a long wait.
Michelle, I am sure the cyanide and this man’s death will be your fault.
Just as US commander-in-chief can say this: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010917-11.html
.. and this: http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/2002/11/13_Laden.html
Leading to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45f1Riv_z1I
Day 1:
(knock, knock) “Room service, would you like your…..Oops, sorry, sir, we’ll come back later.”
Day 2:
(knock, knock) “Room service, would you like your…..”
Fishy story. The link on LGF’s site adds to the mystery. A Somali immigrant (possibly a radical Muslim) living in Canada who has a container of cyanide in his Denver hotel room dies of likely cyanide poisoning a couple of weeks before the DNC. The hotel doesn’t notice he’s dead for six days. Obviously the room was paid for and a “Do Not Disturb” sign was on the doorhandle, or else the staff would have cleaned the room. If my assumption is incorrect, remind me never to stay there if I ever go to Denver.
I can sort of understand that authorities don’t want to start a panic. But I think a little paranoia’s a good thing in this case. I’d consider bringing a bag lunch (for more reasons than just the risk of poisoning). If you think that terrorists won’t target Democrats because they have sympathy for bigotry against Muslims, think again. Michelle saying something is better than everyone saying nothing. Always stay vigilant.
He didn’t want to look like a fool at the state Capitol if the cyanide didn’t work, so he tested it on himself first. Now, if suicide bombers would do a dress rehearsal, first, we would have a lot of Darwin Award candidates to choose from each year.
Sometimes homicide bombers blow themselves up… Guess this guy handled a wee bit too much of the cyanide… Oops. Move along now, nothing to see here. (WTF was this Muslim doing with a pound of cyanide in the middle of the USA?)
They probably forgot to mention he had been shot several times and then decapitated. You know, just your everyday death by natural causes. Nothing suspicious here.
If this terrorist had been successful at killing anyone in Denver he would not even have been a suspect.
The media would have immediately suspected and convicted whomever the killer was as a crazy “conservative” or “neocon” or “right wing nutjob” rather than a person of the “religion of PEACE” (cough cough).
Obama would even frame the situation in a manner to play politics to infer it as his opposition rather than show his bias FOR Islam. He is sooooooooo easy to predict and so is the drive by media, his and every other Democrats partners in crime.
This story should be raising red flags all over the place.
The fact that the crystal form of sodium cyanide was found is highly significant. It’s maximum effectiveness is not derived from tainting food products. It is the crystal form of sodium cyanide that is readily turned into a lethal gas when mixed with sulfuric acid.
The gas chamber was widely used in the US before lethal injection to carry out the death penalty here in the US. The gas used in the gas chamber was created when crystals of sodium cynaide were dropped into a container of sulfuric acid.
The terror effect of an attack claiming the lives of people in say a shopping center by turning a building into an improvised gas chamber would be high.
By the way, the gas created when combining sodium cyanide crystals and sulfuric acid is knows as hydrogen cyanide or hydrocynaide. In Hitler’s Germany, the product was in fairly frequent use – they called it Zyclon B.
Due to its relative ease of manufacture and its lethal effects, Saddam Hussein took a keen interest in hydrogen cyanide.
Things to do in Denver when you’re dead…
Well, if he wasn’t a terrorist, maybe he was just an idiot. No shortage of those in the Mile High this week…
Let’s at least wait until all the evidence is in before covering it up, sweeping it under the carpet and pretending it doesn’t exist.
Dakine,
You either missed the point accidentally or intentionally. Your use of quotations around the word reporting indicates the latter.
First, a blog is not a newspaper so MM is not a reporter as much as a commenter. The fact that bloggers often scoop reporters these days is an indication of how bad the “professional” media have become (sarcastic quotation marks are intentional).
Second, the commenting seems to me to indicate our host was concerned by the lack of concern by the FBI or intentional downplay of the incident.
Finally, why exactly would you post a comment like you did unless you were making a personal attack on MM’s postings. Why not just stop reading? Ego is my guess, but hey, I do not know you either.
dakine surf dude: stupid sarcasm does not become you. MM knows full well the Feds downplay everything to avoid panic. The point is the political correctness doctrine also requires that murdering muslims be protected from “discrimination”. Real simple stuff, but someone needs to poke the authority figures in the eye every so often to let them know we are watching.
It seems unlike the Bush Administration not to use any excuse to hype the terrorist threat and disrupt the Democratic National Convention as they did four years ago by elevating the threat level on flimsy evidence. If even R-controlled Justice and Homeland Security departments can’t find an excuse to monkeywrench the convention, the possibility of terrorism is certainly extremely low.
I guess it was inevitable with the opening of comment registration, a whole new set of libtards spewing nonsensical diatribes. Let the weeding begin.
More weak equivalence. Try to stay on topic. Or do you not really have anything to contribute? As i’ve told lgm…it must be so easy, to be so weak.
Mookie,
Michelle made me give it to him. I’m waiting on my check to arrive in the mail any day now!
yawn. bored with you. k, thx, bye.
We can only hope more is being done behind the scenes to track down the source.
Of course, there is no evidence that this is terrorism related. No signed note from OBL aying “Go for it Saleman!”, no Al Qaeda Membership Card, no tattoo on the back of his neck saying “TERRORIST”… In fact, there is no reason to suspect this is terrorism related…
Anybody knows that if you don’t fly big planes into buildings you are not a terrorist.
So, some Somali guy with an Islamic name is found dead with enogh cyanide to kill hundreds…
Just how freaking far can people put their heads in the sand anyway?
More fun from “The Religion of Peace”.
August 28 Headline:
3000 DEAD AT DEM CONVENTION
POISONED BY CYANIDE
“Three thousand conventioneers dropped dead of cyanide poisoning at the Democrat Convention at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver during a rousing speech by Barrack Obama … police believe each death was an isolated incident. No foul play is suspected … Obama opposed any surge in response to massive wave of deaths and proposed instead a firm UN Resolution ….”
Mein Gott im Himmel man! You would be amazed at what the brits find to be usual every day happenings.
Let’s apply a logical gin su knife to Bemusedlib’s contentions:
If you have evidence that the Bush administrated elevated the threat level IN ORDER TO disrupt the Dems national convention, please present it.
p.s. was the convention disrupted?
Amazingly illogic here, since it assumes bad faith without offering any evidence of same, and further assumes a desperate attempt by Booosh to find an “excuse”.
So here we have pretzel logic at its finest: 4 years ago, Boosh found a way to disrupt the Dem convention, on “flimsy evidence”. But this year, they haven’t announced terror alerts — and would like to do so very, very much— THEREFORE there ARE no valid threats. !!!!
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you a poster who, in the world of thought, is not yet ready to ride a bicycle.
Bemused lib, would you care to explain why finding a dead muslim with a pound of cyanide in a Denver hotel room just two weeks in advance of the Dem convention in that same city would NOT provide “flimsy evidence” with which to disrupt the convention?
Warning, sir: this is MM’s site, and we posters enjoy fisking the weak-minded on all parts of the political spectrum.
So explain yourself…if you dare.
The guy was dead in a swank hotel for SIX days and housekeeping didn’t bother to check the room?
This literally doesn’t pass the smell test!
Sorry Michelle…it seemed like it needed something.
Sometimes it is too easy. If it isn’t part of The Golden Calf’s “PLAN” as stated on his site, this guy doesn’t have an answer. Not worth the three calories burned typing.