2014 Midwest FurFest Gas Attack
Chemical Attack at Convention
CLASSIFICATION: Terrorism
LOCATION
Rosemont, Illinois
TIME PERIOD
December 5-7, 2014
VICTIMS
19 confirmed
On December 7, 2014, at approximately 12:45 a.m., a chlorine gas attack occurred during the Midwest FurFest convention at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois, resulting in 19 attendees being hospitalized. The incident prompted an immediate evacuation of the hotel, with attendees relocated to the Stephens Convention Center while hazmat technicians worked to decontaminate the area. Investigators discovered a broken glass jar containing a white powder and liquid on the ninth floor, with air samples indicating high levels of chlorine gas. Despite extensive interviews conducted by the Rosemont police and the FBI, no charges have been filed, and the case remains unsolved as of 2022, with the statute of limitations having expired in 2019.
Theories about the 2014 Midwest FurFest gas attack include the belief that the perpetrator may have targeted the furry community specifically, possibly due to a personal vendetta or prejudice against the subculture. Some speculate that the attack was intended as a form of protest against the convention's themes or activities. There are also discussions regarding the possibility of the attack being a random act of terrorism, with the motive remaining unclear.
The 2014 Midwest FurFest Gas Attack: A Tale of Mystery and Unanswered Questions
A Chilling Night at FurFest
On December 7, 2014, the Midwest FurFest convention, held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois, became the scene of a harrowing chemical attack. This convention, which had gathered over 5,400 attendees, was the second-largest event of its kind in the United States. As the festivities drew to a close, an unexpected and sinister event unfolded, leaving 19 people hospitalized as the result of a chlorine gas attack.
The Attack Unfolds
As the clock ticked past midnight on the final night of the convention, the Rosemont Public Safety Department was inundated with calls about a noxious odor emanating from the ninth floor of the hotel. By 1:10 a.m., the situation had escalated, necessitating a full evacuation of the hotel. Guests, many still in their vibrant and elaborate costumes, were ushered to the nearby Stephens Convention Center for safety. Meanwhile, hazmat technicians worked tirelessly to decontaminate the affected area. Their efforts stretched into the early morning hours, and by 4:21 a.m., the hotel was deemed safe for reentry.
The Investigation Begins
Firefighters who responded to the scene made a startling discovery in the emergency stairway on the ninth floor: a shattered glass jar containing a mysterious white powder. Further complicating matters, a liquid was found smeared on the walls. Testing revealed dangerously high chlorine gas levels in both the stairwell and the hotel's expansive atrium. The concentration in the stairway exceeded 60 ppm, reaching beyond the meter's maximum capacity. Despite collecting samples of the suspicious substances, investigators faced setbacks due to improperly calibrated equipment, rendering the results inconclusive.
The Rosemont police, recognizing the gravity of the situation, quickly labeled it an intentional act and launched a criminal investigation. Over the following days, they, along with the FBI, conducted interviews with a wide range of individuals, including convention attendees, hotel staff, and hospital personnel. Despite their diligent efforts, the case remained unresolved. The FBI continued its pursuit of suspects until 2019, when the statute of limitations in Illinois expired. As of 2022, the case remains cold, with no charges filed.
The Media's Reaction
The bizarre nature of the attack and the colorful backdrop of the furry convention caught the attention of national media. On December 8, the story was featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe. However, the gravity of the situation was overshadowed by an unexpected twist: hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough began laughing during the segment, leaving co-host Willie Geist to finish the report. The broadcast then shifted to an interview with Dr. Samuel Conway, a prominent figure in the furry community, but not before Brzezinski was seen dashing out of the studio. This unprofessional handling of the story deeply offended many within the furry community.
A Decade Later: Unresolved
In 2024, nearly a decade after the attack, journalist Nicky Woolf released an investigative podcast series titled Fur & Loathing. This series delved into the case, shedding light on previously unpublicized aspects. Woolf interviewed two key suspects from the FBI's investigation, including Robert Sojkowski, known in the community as Magnus Diridian, a figure often shrouded in controversy. The podcast gained significant attention, being featured in Time's "Best Podcasts of 2024 So Far" and Bloomberg Businessweek's "Jealousy List 2024."
Conclusion
Despite extensive investigations and media coverage, the mysterious gas attack at the 2014 Midwest FurFest remains unsolved. The convention that once promised fun and camaraderie became the backdrop for a chilling and perplexing crime that continues to haunt attendees and investigators alike. The questions of who orchestrated the attack and why remain unanswered, leaving a dark shadow over an otherwise vibrant community.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Chlorine Gas Attack
A chlorine gas attack at Midwest FurFest hospitalized 19 attendees.
Evacuation Ordered
Hotel evacuated at 1:10 a.m. after reports of a noxious odor.
Investigation Begins
Rosemont police confirm evidence suggests an intentional act.
Media Coverage
MSNBC hosts laughed during coverage, offending many attendees.
FBI Interviews Conclude
FBI interviews related to the case continue until the statute of limitations expires.
No Charges Filed
As of this date, no one has been charged in connection with the attack.
Podcast Released
Nicky Woolf releases 'Fur & Loathing', an investigative podcast about the attack.
Podcast Recognition
'Fur & Loathing' featured in Bloomberg's 'Jealousy List'.
On December 7, 2014, at approximately 12:45 a.m., a chlorine gas attack occurred during the Midwest FurFest convention at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois, resulting in 19 attendees being hospitalized. The incident prompted an immediate evacuation of the hotel, with attendees relocated to the Stephens Convention Center while hazmat technicians worked to decontaminate the area. Investigators discovered a broken glass jar containing a white powder and liquid on the ninth floor, with air samples indicating high levels of chlorine gas. Despite extensive interviews conducted by the Rosemont police and the FBI, no charges have been filed, and the case remains unsolved as of 2022, with the statute of limitations having expired in 2019.
Theories about the 2014 Midwest FurFest gas attack include the belief that the perpetrator may have targeted the furry community specifically, possibly due to a personal vendetta or prejudice against the subculture. Some speculate that the attack was intended as a form of protest against the convention's themes or activities. There are also discussions regarding the possibility of the attack being a random act of terrorism, with the motive remaining unclear.
The 2014 Midwest FurFest Gas Attack: A Tale of Mystery and Unanswered Questions
A Chilling Night at FurFest
On December 7, 2014, the Midwest FurFest convention, held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois, became the scene of a harrowing chemical attack. This convention, which had gathered over 5,400 attendees, was the second-largest event of its kind in the United States. As the festivities drew to a close, an unexpected and sinister event unfolded, leaving 19 people hospitalized as the result of a chlorine gas attack.
The Attack Unfolds
As the clock ticked past midnight on the final night of the convention, the Rosemont Public Safety Department was inundated with calls about a noxious odor emanating from the ninth floor of the hotel. By 1:10 a.m., the situation had escalated, necessitating a full evacuation of the hotel. Guests, many still in their vibrant and elaborate costumes, were ushered to the nearby Stephens Convention Center for safety. Meanwhile, hazmat technicians worked tirelessly to decontaminate the affected area. Their efforts stretched into the early morning hours, and by 4:21 a.m., the hotel was deemed safe for reentry.
The Investigation Begins
Firefighters who responded to the scene made a startling discovery in the emergency stairway on the ninth floor: a shattered glass jar containing a mysterious white powder. Further complicating matters, a liquid was found smeared on the walls. Testing revealed dangerously high chlorine gas levels in both the stairwell and the hotel's expansive atrium. The concentration in the stairway exceeded 60 ppm, reaching beyond the meter's maximum capacity. Despite collecting samples of the suspicious substances, investigators faced setbacks due to improperly calibrated equipment, rendering the results inconclusive.
The Rosemont police, recognizing the gravity of the situation, quickly labeled it an intentional act and launched a criminal investigation. Over the following days, they, along with the FBI, conducted interviews with a wide range of individuals, including convention attendees, hotel staff, and hospital personnel. Despite their diligent efforts, the case remained unresolved. The FBI continued its pursuit of suspects until 2019, when the statute of limitations in Illinois expired. As of 2022, the case remains cold, with no charges filed.
The Media's Reaction
The bizarre nature of the attack and the colorful backdrop of the furry convention caught the attention of national media. On December 8, the story was featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe. However, the gravity of the situation was overshadowed by an unexpected twist: hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough began laughing during the segment, leaving co-host Willie Geist to finish the report. The broadcast then shifted to an interview with Dr. Samuel Conway, a prominent figure in the furry community, but not before Brzezinski was seen dashing out of the studio. This unprofessional handling of the story deeply offended many within the furry community.
A Decade Later: Unresolved
In 2024, nearly a decade after the attack, journalist Nicky Woolf released an investigative podcast series titled Fur & Loathing. This series delved into the case, shedding light on previously unpublicized aspects. Woolf interviewed two key suspects from the FBI's investigation, including Robert Sojkowski, known in the community as Magnus Diridian, a figure often shrouded in controversy. The podcast gained significant attention, being featured in Time's "Best Podcasts of 2024 So Far" and Bloomberg Businessweek's "Jealousy List 2024."
Conclusion
Despite extensive investigations and media coverage, the mysterious gas attack at the 2014 Midwest FurFest remains unsolved. The convention that once promised fun and camaraderie became the backdrop for a chilling and perplexing crime that continues to haunt attendees and investigators alike. The questions of who orchestrated the attack and why remain unanswered, leaving a dark shadow over an otherwise vibrant community.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Chlorine Gas Attack
A chlorine gas attack at Midwest FurFest hospitalized 19 attendees.
Evacuation Ordered
Hotel evacuated at 1:10 a.m. after reports of a noxious odor.
Investigation Begins
Rosemont police confirm evidence suggests an intentional act.
Media Coverage
MSNBC hosts laughed during coverage, offending many attendees.
FBI Interviews Conclude
FBI interviews related to the case continue until the statute of limitations expires.
No Charges Filed
As of this date, no one has been charged in connection with the attack.
Podcast Released
Nicky Woolf releases 'Fur & Loathing', an investigative podcast about the attack.
Podcast Recognition
'Fur & Loathing' featured in Bloomberg's 'Jealousy List'.