The 1994 Letter to Senator Joe Biden: A Closer Look at the "Traitor" Accusation

In August 1994, a letter addressed to then-Senator Joe Biden emerged, bearing the signature "John F. Kennedy Jr." and containing the provocative accusation, "You are a traitor." Accompanied by a death threat stating, "You must die," the letter sparked immediate concern and an FBI investigation. However, significant doubt surrounds whether John F. Kennedy Jr., the son of President John F. Kennedy, actually wrote it. This article explores the letter's details, the ensuing FBI investigation, and the historical context, shedding light on why its authenticity remains unproven.

Details of the Letter

The letter itself was brief but alarming:

• Date: August 1994

• Recipient: Senator Joe Biden

• Content: It began with the direct statement, "Dear Sen. Biden: You are a traitor," followed by the menacing declaration, "You must die."

• Signature: It was signed "John F. Kennedy Jr.," implying authorship by the well-known son of the assassinated president.

Given the gravity of the threat and the prominence of the supposed sender, the letter quickly drew the attention of federal authorities.

The FBI Investigation

The FBI launched an investigation to identify the sender and assess the threat:

• Forensic Analysis:

  • Fingerprints: Four latent fingerprints were recovered from the letter. However, without a suspect to match them against, they provided no leads.

  • Handwriting: Handwriting analysis was conducted but yielded inconclusive results, failing to confirm or rule out any specific author.

• Outcome: The investigation concluded in December 1994 without identifying the sender. The author was classified as an "UNSUB" (unknown subject), a term used when the perpetrator remains unidentified.

• Key Finding: The FBI found no definitive evidence linking the letter to John F. Kennedy Jr. Instead, investigators concluded it was likely written by someone using his name, possibly an impostor or prankster.

This lack of evidence has fueled skepticism about Kennedy Jr.'s involvement, with most experts leaning toward the theory that his name was exploited rather than him being the true author.

Historical Context and Public Awareness

The letter remained largely obscure until years later:

• Initial Publicity: It wasn’t until 2000 that the Associated Press reported on the letter, based on documents obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request. This brought the incident into the public eye for the first time.

• Modern Resurgence: In recent years, the letter has gained renewed attention, particularly on social media. It is sometimes mentioned alongside discussions of the JFK assassination files, though it is unrelated to those documents and has been known about for decades.

The timing of its reemergence often aligns with political or historical debates, but its origins remain as unclear now as they were in 1994.

Conclusion: An Intriguing but Unverified Artifact

The 1994 letter to Senator Joe Biden, signed "John F. Kennedy Jr.," undeniably labeled him a "traitor" and included a death threat. Yet, its authenticity is far from certain. The FBI’s thorough investigation found no solid link to John F. Kennedy Jr., and the absence of conclusive forensic evidence suggests it was likely the work of an impostor. Today, the letter persists as a curious historical footnote—an artifact of intrigue rather than a proven act by a prominent figure. Its story underscores the need for skepticism when confronting bold claims, especially when evidence is lacking.