FBI Probe Into Powdery Substance At Austin IRS Site Continues

SOUTH AUSTIN, TEXAS — FBI officials have declined to reveal details on their investigation into a mysterious powdery substance found recently at a local IRS building that prompted the site's evacuation and hospitalization of two of its employees.

The package containing the unknown substance was found Nov. 30, 2018, within the mail room of the Internal Revenue Service facility located off Interstate 35 near Woodward Street. Two women were hospitalized after the substance emitted from the package upon its opening, prompting their hospitalization and an FBI investigation.

Yet despite requests from Patch for updates to the investigation — an an earlier assurance from an FBI spokeswoman of an appraisal on the probe's status — officials have remained mum as to what the substance was and whether any arrests have been made. An FBI spokeswoman told Patch the substance is still being analyzed.

Previous story: 2 Hospitalized After Suspicious Package In Austin IRS Site Found

On Dec. 5, 2018, Patch first reached out via email to Michele Lee, a spokeswoman for the San Antonio field office of the FBI that covers the Austin region. Despite being out of the office at the time, Lee responded to the media request while assuring she would check on the matter and get back in touch.

"We are closed for business today but I will check on any updates tomorrow and follow up with you," Lee wrote the same day of the request.

Five days later, Patch asked about an update after no follow-up from Lee was made. She replied that tests are still pending as to the nature of the substance, declining further comment.

"We are still awaiting additional results from one lab test," Lee wrote. "We are holding any response until then."

Patch will update when more information is made available.

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