By Thomas Jordan jordan@gomemphis.com
Memphis police officers Monday still were attempting to piece together the movements of a missing scientist during the four hours before he disappeared in the early morning of Nov. 16. Dr. Don C. Wiley's rented car was discovered abandoned on the Hernando DeSoto Bridge at 4 a.m. He was last seen at The Peabody between 11:30 and midnight Nov. 15.
The Memphis Police Department, which is in charge of the investigation, has begun circulating pictures of the rented car in hopes of eliciting information about Wiley's whereabouts during the four hours.
"We're still trying to find out where he was during that time," said Lt. Walter Norris.
The Harvard University bio chemistry and biophysics professor is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He had attended a board meeting at the hospital Nov. 14-15.
On the night of Nov. 15, Wiley attended a banquet for the advisory board and St. Jude's board of directors at The Peabody.
Wiley, 57, a prize-winning scientist, has done research on dangerous viruses, including AIDS, influenza and Ebola, a hemorrhagic fever that is highly contagious and often fatal.
There have been published and televised reports recently that the FBI has begun investigating the case because of Wiley's research, especially of Ebola.
George Bolds, spokesman for the Memphis FBI office, said Monday the bureau isn't investigating the case.
Bolds said, "There is not a connection at this time between his professional expertise and his disappearance."
He said the disappearance was being handled by the Memphis Police Department as a missing person's case.
- Thomas Jordan: 529-5880
November 27, 2001