Authorities say that days before the 2001 anthrax attacks, Army scientist Bruce Ivins wrote an e-mail warning that Osama bin Laden had anthrax and had declared war on the United States and Israel.

Postal inspectors say the language in e-mails by scientist Bruce Ivins was similar to the words used in the anthrax letters that terrorized the nation in 2001. The connection was court documents unsealed Wednesday related to searches of Ivins’ home, computer, cars and safe deposit box.

Ivins committed suicide last week before authorities could charge him with the attacks that killed five people.