HAZMAT scare over crushed candy

The man who opened the suspicious letter containing a white powder said he believes the sender was “just trying to sell him life insurance.”

Thomas Farnsworth, a criminal defense lawyer at the law office of J. Dean Keagan, 103 College Street, in Iowa City, said he opened the letter Thursday afternoon.  Farnsworth said the letter was addressed to him.

“There was tape on it, and it was hand written,” Farnsworth said.

According to Farnsworth he found a white powder inside the envelope.  Police later told him that there was a note inside the envelope that read “Our meeting together could be a lifesaver.”  Police also told Farnsworth that they believe the powder was a crushed lifesaver.

“I don't think it was malicious,” said Farnsworth.  The life saver was likely crushed at the post office when the letter was in transit, Farnsworth said.

Police would not confirm that the white powder was a crushed lifesaver, and said the investigation is ongoing.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Erica Pennington contributed earlier versions of this story.

[gallery columns="2"]