Suicide or Murder?

       To analyze the plausibility of a cover-up for getting close to the truth, we must ask what is “The Octopus”. “The Octopus” is what Casolaro believed to be a single web of corruption (Rosenbaum 1). He believed this hidden network reached into some of the most infamous scandals of the late twentieth century (1). Ron Rosenbaum explains that Casolaro believed “The Octopus” extended its tentacles into some of the most infamous political and intelligence scandals of the late twentieth century, including “the Bay of Pigs and Watergate to Iran-Contra, B.C.C.I., and the October Surprise” (1). For Casolaro, these events were not isolated historical crises but rather symptoms of a coordinated and deeply entrenched covert apparatus.

       The Inslaw/PROMIS case was the one Casolaro thought would break “The Octopus” open (Rosenbaum 1). Originally developed by Inslaw, PROMIS (Prosecutor’s Management Information System) was a powerful case-tracking program designed to help the U.S. Justice Department manage criminal cases. Inslaw alleged that the Department of Justice had not only violated its contract but had effectively orchestrated a campaign to push the company into financial ruin so that the government could misappropriate the software for its own purposes (Inslaw Affair House Judiciary Committee 17). As Rosenbaum summarizes, INSLAW’s owners claimed the Department of Justice, “plotted to sabotage their contract with Justice, drive the company into bankruptcy, and steal the valuable software for their own profit” (Rosenbaum 1). Casolaro was convinced that PROMIS was not an isolated event, but a gateway into understanding “The Octopus.” This was the investigation that ultimately led him to Michael Riconosciuto, one of the most controversial figures in the entire saga. Riconosciuto claimed to have modified PROMIS with a secret backdoor, acted as a weapons developer for covert operations, and participated in clandestine arms deals on behalf of intelligence agencies (Inslaw Affair House Judiciary Committee 12). Yet, as journalist Tom Linsalata notes, he was “a source whose credibility was all but impossible to establish” (Linsalata 1). For Casoslaro, Riconosciuto’s stories were not simply wild tales, but the missing link connecting PROMIS to “The Octopus.” This belief placed Casolaro in direct pursuit of individuals and institutions capable of serious harm if exposed. Understanding this context is essential in evaluating whether his death could plausibly have been silenced by the very network he believed he was uncovering.

       Any fair analysis must begin with why suicide was considered plausible, before weighing the evidence that later led many to suspect foul play. There were no signs of struggle, forced entry, or defensive wounds (United States Department of Justice). Linsalata writes, “Casolaro's body was found in the bathtub of his room at the Sheraton Inn in Martinsburg. His wrists were slit. Also in the room was a brief suicide note – ‘God will let me in,’ it concluded, a half-empty wine bottle, some beer bottles, and some shards of what might have been a drinking glass. And there was a single-edge razor blade, the kind used for scraping paint” (Linsalata 1). Investigators initially viewed these details as conclusive evidence of suicide, though later critics argued that such a clean scene could have been carefully arranged.

       Casolaro had a history of erratic behavior and personal turmoil: stress, financial pressure, and an obsessive immersion in a vast, frustrating investigation. Jane Seaberry notes,” Police also said they determined that Casolaro recently had a third proposal for a book rejected, and a balloon mortgage payment in the amount of $178,790.98 on his house was due the day before his death” (Seaberry 1). Such pressures can exacerbate feelings of hopelessness, particularly for a journalist whose identity and livelihood depend on his investigative success. The Department of Justice’s report on their investigation into the Inslaw case confirms the reported information about the scene and his financial situation (United States Department of Justice). The report also notes that “The neuropathologist, Dr. Sydney S. Schochet, examined Casolaro’s brain and determined that he had been suffering from multiple sclerosis” as well as “moderately severe arteriosclerosis” (125). These conditions could have contributed to physical exhaustion or depression, factors often linked to suicidal behavior. Taken together; the lack of struggle, mounting financial pressure, and evidence of deteriorating health; the case for suicide appears plausible and consistent with the facts as initially reported.

       Though officially ruled a suicide, the evidence surrounding his final days suggests that he was murdered in a deliberate cover-up to prevent his exposure of systemic corruption within what he called “The Octopus” (Linsalata 1). Central to this suspicion is the deeply flawed investigation that followed his death. Rather than eliminating doubts, the official inquiry amplified them. Numerous procedural irregularities, omissions, and unexplained decisions compromised the integrity of the entire investigative process and raised critical questions about whether the investigation was merely mishandled or intentionally obstructed.

The Department of Justice’s own report indicates several inconsistencies within the investigation of Casolaro’s death (United States Department of Justice). The crime scene wasn’t properly sealed after the body was removed (118). This failure allowed hotel staff and other individuals unnecessary access to the room, creating opportunities for evidence to be disturbed, contaminated, or removed before forensic specialists could document the environment. The bathtub Casolaro was found in was drained without a sample of the water being preserved (117). Since no analysis was able to be performed, investigators lost the chance to determine whether the water was tainted with any type of chemical agent. Casolaro’s body was embalmed before an official autopsy was conducted (249). Embalming alters tissue, washes away trace substances, and can mask toxicology markers (Nikolaou 1). Investigators were unable to lift a single identifiable fingerprint from the razor blade found in the bathroom (United States Department of Justice 128). The absence of prints raises the possibility that the blade was wiped clean or handled by someone wearing gloves. Perhaps most suspicious of all, Casolaro’s briefcase was missing from the hotel room and has never been recovered (115). Its disappearance removed what may have been the most direct evidence of what he was working on in the days leading up to his death. These failures paint a troubling picture of the investigation into Casolaro’s death. The cumulative effect suggests that the investigation was profoundly compromised, leaving critical questions unanswered and fostering continued speculation that his death may not have been a simple suicide.