Description: Email rumor
Status: Unsubstantiated
Circulating since: October 2001
Analysis: See below
Comments: A frightening rumor indeed, but it's crucial to remember that in the absence of substantiating evidence or confirmation from authorities it is only that: a rumor.
This is one of those rare cases where the name and contact information of the actual author of a such a widely forwarded email appears intact on most copies of the text. We have spoken to that author, Laura Katsis, who told us she passed the information on to friends because she believed it to be true.
However, in classic "I heard it from a friend of a friend" fashion, Ms. Katsis admits she is not personally acquainted with the woman from whom the information itself originated. This by no means proves the claims false, but it does give us very good reason to be skeptical until information from more credible sources is available.
That's just entirely too coincidental!!!