TLDR;
In 1984, The Dalles, Oregon, experienced the first biological attack in the U.S. when a religious cult, the Rajneesh, intentionally contaminated salad bars with salmonella to influence a local election. Over 750 people fell ill, causing significant disruption and economic damage. The investigation, involving epidemiologists and federal authorities, uncovered a complex web of deceit, wiretapping, and bioterrorism, ultimately leading to the conviction of key cult members. The incident highlighted the importance of forensic science and collaborative efforts in solving such crimes, and it raised concerns about bioterrorism, leading to delayed publication of the findings.
- The Rajneesh cult contaminated salad bars with salmonella to manipulate local elections.
- Over 750 people were sickened, leading to economic devastation for local businesses.
- Forensic science, epidemiology, and criminal investigation were crucial in solving the case.
Introduction [0:05]
In 1984, The Dalles, Oregon, became the site of the first biological attack in the United States. For over a decade, details of this nearly catastrophic event were withheld from the public. Forensic science played a crucial role in unearthing the biological trail that led to the perpetrators.
The Dalles, Oregon [0:55]
The Dalles, Oregon, a small town seemingly frozen in time, became the center of a public health crisis in September 1984. Residents David and Sandy Lutkins, along with many others, suddenly fell violently ill with symptoms including cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. The local hospital was overwhelmed with patients exhibiting the same symptoms. Microbiologists identified the cause as salmonella, a bacteria commonly found in various food sources and animal feces.
The Outbreak [2:35]
Ten days after the initial outbreak, a second wave of salmonella cases hit The Dalles, overwhelming the local hospital. Dave Lutkins, a restaurant owner, faced a business disaster as 13 of his employees and hundreds of customers became ill. The source of the outbreak was initially unclear, as the affected individuals had not eaten at the same restaurants. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) was called in to investigate whether the outbreak was accidental or intentional.
The Investigation Begins [4:03]
Epidemiologists began investigating the salmonella outbreak, finding no immediate common link among the hundreds of affected residents. Dave and Sandy Lutkins recalled eating a salad at their restaurant before falling ill. Nurse Diane Kerr at the county health department discovered that all the sick individuals had consumed salads from ten local restaurants. Despite examining common food suppliers, investigators couldn't identify a single source of contamination that explained the widespread outbreak.
The Rare Salmonella Strain [5:36]
Dr. Michael Skeels, who ran the laboratory processing samples from the outbreak, discovered that all victims had the same rare strain of salmonella, known as dulcitol negative. This strain, which doesn't biochemically break down the sugar dulcetal, accounts for only two percent of salmonella cases. Additionally, this particular salmonella strain was not resistant to antibiotics, an unusual characteristic. In total, there were 751 cases of salmonella poisoning, including 10 restaurant workers who fell ill before the customers.
Unsatisfying Explanations [6:35]
Two months after the outbreak, the state of Oregon attributed the salmonella poisoning to poor hygiene among restaurant workers and cross-contamination, but officials found no salmonella in Dave Lutkin's restaurant, though traces were found in others. Local officials began to suspect the Rajneesh religious cult, who had a history of conflict with local politicians. A year prior, cult leader Sheela had hinted at potential violence, stating the cult was prepared to pay the price, even if it meant spilling blood.
The Rajneesh Cult [7:35]
The Rajneesh cult, led by guru Bhagwan Shri Rajneesh, established a large farming commune in Oregon in 1981. The commune included housing for over a thousand followers, and the guru preached meditation and free love. In 1982, the Rajneesh took control of the nearby town of Antelope, which caused tension with long-time residents. Before the outbreak, the Rajneesh aimed to control The Dalles and had put up their own candidates for the November election.
Growing Suspicions [9:34]
In the absence of a clear scientific explanation for the outbreak, suspicions arose that the Rajneesh cult intentionally poisoned the community. However, there was no concrete evidence to support this theory. A year later, the cult's behavior grew even more bizarre, revealing evidence that would eventually solve the mystery.
Internal Conflicts and Paranoia [10:13]
The Rajneesh cult, led by Bhagwan Sri Rajneesh and managed by Ma Anand Sheela, faced increasing scrutiny and internal conflict. Sheela, who managed the cult's daily operations, ensured Rajneesh's desires were met, while he granted her control. The Rajneeshis were under investigation for immigration fraud, and a power struggle emerged between Sheela and other commune leaders, particularly a group known as the "Hollywood faction." Former cult members revealed plans to assassinate local politicians, rival cult members, and a journalist who had written investigative pieces about the group.
The Flight of Sheela and the Investigation [12:38]
A year after the salmonella outbreak, Sheela and the head of the Rajneesh medical clinic, Puja, fled to Europe. Rajneesh disowned them, accusing them of turning the commune into a "passive concentration camp." Prosecutors learned that Puja had been experimenting with biological poisons, including salmonella, at the clinic, but lacked hard evidence. As scrutiny increased, Rajneesh enhanced his personal security, traveling in bulletproof vehicles with armed guards and a helicopter escort.
The Raid and the Salmonella Sample [13:42]
In October 1985, a federal grand jury indicted Rajneesh for visa fraud and arranging sham marriages. During a planned search of the commune, epidemiologist Dr. Mike Skeels was asked to accompany the officials due to fears of biological retaliation. In the commune's medical center, Skeels found samples of various bacteria, including salmonella typhy muriel. He seized it as evidence, not initially connecting it to the outbreak.
The Smoking Gun [14:53]
Shortly after the raid, Rajneesh was arrested on immigration charges in North Carolina. The CDC tested the salmonella found in the commune's lab using plasmid profiling, which analyzes the genetic material outside the bacterial chromosome. The salmonella from the Rajneesh clinic had a plasmid profile similar to the organism from The Dalles, and it could be killed by all antibiotics, matching the strain used in the epidemic. This discovery served as the "smoking gun," confirming that the salmonella strain found in the clinic was the same as the one that caused the outbreak.
Uncovering the Motive [16:14]
Inside the Rajneesh commune, investigators found evidence connecting the group to the mass salmonella poisonings and other illegal activities. Sheela had installed surveillance devices throughout the commune and tapped every pay phone in town, marking the largest incident of wiretapping in U.S. history. The FBI also found manuals for making bombs and articles about bioterrorism and biowarfare.
The Election Plot [17:40]
The salmonella was chosen as a weapon in a power struggle to take over Wasco County. The Rajneesh cult aimed to incapacitate local voters so that their own candidates could win the election for the local county commission. By making the local voters sick, the Rajneesh believed they could secure enough votes from their own members to install their candidates on the county commission.
The Rehearsal [18:29]
The September outbreak was a rehearsal for the Rajneesh cult. Under Sheela's direction, members disguised themselves and used spray containers filled with salmonella. In August, they first experimented by spraying door handles at the county courthouse and produce in local supermarkets, but no one got sick. Their second experiment in September involved spraying salmonella on salad bars in 10 local restaurants, which successfully contaminated over 700 residents.
The Aftermath and Justice [19:27]
Just before election day, the Rajneesh planned to contaminate the city's water supply, but they were unsuccessful. All of the Rajneesh candidates lost in the November elections. Armed with forensic biological evidence, Sheela and Puja were extradited from Europe and charged with tampering with consumer products. They pled guilty, served less than three years in federal prison, and then fled to Switzerland before state charges could be filed.
Long-Term Impact [20:41]
Rajneesh pleaded guilty to immigration violations, was deported, and died in India in 1990. Most of the targeted restaurants never recovered from the economic impact of the attack and went out of business, including Dave Lutkin's restaurant. The scientists who investigated the outbreak wrote a paper about it, but the CDC initially delayed its publication due to fears of copycat crimes.
Publication and Final Thoughts [21:08]
In 1997, 13 years after the outbreak, the paper was finally published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, as bioterrorism had become a growing concern. Evidence discovered in the Rajneesh health clinic revealed they possessed even more potent biological weapons. The investigation highlighted that neither epidemiology nor criminal investigation alone could have solved the case; it took both to uncover the truth.
