July 29, 1994 - Part 2
July 29, 1994 - Part 2
(12:40:28) All of the participants in this investigation-the attorneys, myself, my fellow FBI agents, and the pathologists I have Just mentioned - join in the conclusion that on the afternoon of July 20, 1993, in Fort Mar Park, Virginia, Mr. Foster committed suicide by firing a bullet from a .38 caliber revolver into his mouth, We firmly believe that the evidence compiled during this investigation should dispense of all other theories or speculations about his tragic death. First, there can be no question that Vincent Foster committed suicide. Interviews with Mrs. Foster and other family members revealed that Mr. Foster was deeply depressed in the weeks prior to his death. Those close to him told us that in those final weeks be had lost considerable weight and was having trouble sleeping. He appeared exhausted most of the time and he began to take on a .drawn and gray appearance. Family and friends stated that he appeared distracted and worried most of the time and that be became quite subdued. Coworkers, including former White House Counsel, Bernard Nussbaum, noted that his productivity at the White House began to decline. We learned that Mr. Foster was deeply disturbed by the fallout from the travel office matter over which the Counsel's Office was harshly criticized in the press. We also know that he was distressed about the criticism that be received in a series of editorials that appeared in The Wall Street Journal. At one point he told family members and a close friend that he was considering resigning his position. His wife and sister believe that be did not do so because be would have felt humiliated bad he returned to Arkansas under those circumstances. On Friday, July 16, 4 days before be committed suicide, be told his sister that he was battling depression, His sister provided him with the names of three psychiatrists and encouraged him to contact one of them. 46 Telephone records reveal that in the early afternoon of July 16, Mr. Foster, as previously mentioned, did attempt to reach out for help by twice attempting to contact one of the psychiatrists but was unsuccessful. The list of psychiatrists was found in Mr. Foster's wallet after his death. On Monday, July 19, a day before his death, he contacted his physician in Arkansas and informed him of his depression. The ph physician prescribed him with an antidepressant called Trazodone and on the evening of July 19, he took one of these pills. The FBI laboratory found a trace of the Trazodone in blood taken from him at the time of the autopsy. Aside from this evidence that Mr. Foster was depressed, the conclusion that he committed suicide is compelled by forensic evidence collected during this investigation. The expert pathologists found this evident, and I quote: Typical and characteristic of such findings in death due to intentional, self-inflicted gunshot wounds. In describing this evidence to you, I am relying on a report issued by these pathologists which is also attached as an exhibit to the report issued by the Independent Counsel's Office on June 30, 1994. The pathologists conclude that the nature of the injury could only have resulted from a gun having been fired inside of Mr. Foster's mouth. This was confirmed by an examination of microscopic slides taken during the autopsy which revealed a large quantity of gunpowder on the soft pallet tissue inside of his mouth. This indicates that the barrel of the weapon was essentially in contact with the soft pallet when fired. The pathologists' panel further concluded that this gun was not forced into his mouth but voluntarily placed there by Mr. Foster. Scene and autopsy photographs reveal no signs of struggle, no broken teeth, no ripped clothing. Given Mr. Foster's size, it is highly unlikely that someone could have forced a gun into his mouth without some detectable injury. There was also no evidence in his blood that he bad been drugged or that he had consumed alcohol. The physical evidence further reveals that Mr. Foster pulled the trigger. For an example, an autopsy photograph depicts a mark on his right thumb consistent with the rebound of the trigger of the gun found in his band after firing. Moreover, the photographs reveal the presence of gunpowder on a portion of his right index finger indicating that his hand was in the vicinity of the cylinder of the gun when it was fired. This evidence leads to the inescapable conclusion that Mr. Foster committed suicide.