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TRANSMITTAL A1B,518011 0
27 em'er 1953

TO: File

BUILDING

REMARKS:

In view of the attached report from which reflects death of DryJohn ane-by cyanide and acetone which was' swallowed by deceased, further investigation inconnection with this problem was belièved unnecessary.

A

FROM:

SEPM9N8 36-8

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TO: Chief, Security Research Staff

FROM : Chief, Special Security Division

DATE: 2Ju53

SUBJECT: LANE, Dr. John - Information Concerninp

l. Reference is made to a memorandum dated 29 May l953 prepared by a member of your staff requesting information concerning the death of captioned subject: :

2. A check of the subject's name against the records of the Security Office disclosed the existence of a clippinp from the NEw YORK TIMES of 15 October 1952. This article is dated 17 October 1952 at New Brunswick, New Jersey, and relates that subject, 36 vears of age, died on 17 October l952 after swallowing poison while sitting in his parked automobile on the golf course at Rutgers Ulniversity, Robert H. JAMISON, coroner, Middiesex County (New Jersey), said that the scientist's death had been caused by swallowinf a mixture of cyanide and acetone. Captain Matthew J. LlND, Police Department (New Brunswick), initiated an investigation.: The results of the investigation are not indicated.

3. The article of the NEW YORK TIMES further points out that the subject, a native of Santa Monica, Californiaj, studied at Heidelburg University, Germany, in 1937 and 1938 after graduation from the University of Califoria. He was enraged in research work at Frinccton llniversity on the Manhattan Froject in l9ul and l9u5. In l9l5 he joined the staff at Rutgers University and specialized in Theoretic Organic Chemistry and was noted for his work in connection with the atom bomb.

L. The article lso indicates that the Subiectg was suffering fron influenza prior to his death. His-residence address is shown as LO2 Lee Avenue (presumably New Arunswick).

5. In view or vour request that this inforation he furnished to vou prior to further action on the part of this division, no further inquiries are being made until so requested by you.

A1B, 5, 180/2 Office Menorandun : UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

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1.Either late in October or early in November 1952, Dr. John Lanejofthe Chemistry Department of Rutgers University committed sui cide apparently by the internaluse of:asubstance or substances whichhe had'recentIy succeeded inisolating in his laboratory. Exact detailsiof the substances are not known but the informant,reported that theisubstancs,is. found,in somertype of,tropical.herbiand is. kmown as"Anizet"
2. Examination of botanicalrecords, pharmaceuticaldirectories files,etcfails to establishany,substance'.knownas"Anizet"but. this name: may possiblyibe,alocallname or mamufactured' name usedin the chemicalylaboratory at RutgersUniversity at the"time'of, Dr.Lane! death.The informant inthe case'stated that he believed 'Dr.Lane's research was thesubject of a publication in the last year;and that there possibly'would be:someadditionalinformation:in/the, newpaper accountssof/his;death.
3.Theoriginal paper as seen by the writer ündicated(ina headingthat'the cause of'Dr. Lane's death was apparently a'traceless poison.Thisoriginal memorandum whichwasiprepared by
bets out the above information.IA check of OSi's persunnel re、rds-indicatesitha is now on leave and will not return until 1l May 1953.
In,view of expressed interest in a, similar problem,it is suggested that;this memorandum be referred byyour Office to the proper Security Officè withythe request that a very cautious investigation be. conducted inan:effort to'secureiifpossi 'ble,all,avsilable.details in:this connection.
5.It is further suggested that. the coroner's" report at Rutgers, the statements of'fellow instructors inthe Chemistry Department at Rutgers"andthe newspaper filesof/thelocal papers:mightpossibiyindicate some clue as to:what caused Dr. Lane's'death. More' specifically this, Office would like to know what:substances, plants, herbs, chemical etc. was Dr."Lane working on:at the time of his apparent suicide and why wag, the poison described as "TRACELESS"

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The following, inoidental information. whichl picked u
thiglastveek-end mayipoaaibly be relevant to the gubject. 4 Iam informed thatDrieJohn Lanerof tbe Chemistry
DepartmantirRutgera Univereity,committed suicide withia'the
lastthree veaks'by the internal une of a mubatance,which ha
had redently"gucoeeded'in isolating at his laboratory.I
understandithat the subatance is foundin some type of tropical
herb and is known as Anlzet.i 2 Hy informant believei that Dri Lane's research wag the
subject of publication in the last year and that there may be
Bome additional information inthe,newspaper accounts or his l