On December 7, 2014, a significant incident disrupted the Midwest FurFest, a large furry convention in the United States. The event was held at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare hotel in Rosemont, Illinois, with over 5,400 attendees present. In the early hours of the convention's final night, reports surfaced of a strange and toxic odor on the ninth floor of the hotel.
At approximately 12:45 a.m., the Rosemont Public Safety Department received multiple calls regarding the noxious smell. By 1:10 a.m., the hotel had to be evacuated, directing guests to the nearby Stephens Convention Center. Following the evacuation, hazmat technicians worked for two hours to decontaminate the affected area, and the hotel was reopened by 4:21 a.m.
During the investigation, firefighters discovered a broken glass jar containing a white powder in the emergency stairway, alongside a suspicious liquid on the walls. Measurements of the air revealed alarming levels of chlorine gas, with concentrations exceeding 60 ppm in the stairwell, surpassing the maximum reading of their equipment. Although samples were collected, the analytical results were inconclusive due to equipment calibration issues.
In the immediate aftermath, law enforcement indicated that the evidence suggested the incident was intentional, prompting a criminal investigation. The police and FBI conducted interviews with hotel guests, employees, and medical personnel in an effort to identify suspects. This investigation continued for several years, with FBI inquiries lasting until 2019, when the statute of limitations expired without any charges being filed. As of 2026, the case remains open and unresolved.
In total, over 40 individuals required medical evaluation after exposure to the gas, with 19 needing hospitalization. The event drew significant media coverage, notably from MSNBC's Morning Joe, where the hosts' laughter during the segment sparked anger among the furry community, who felt their ordeal was not taken seriously.
The incident was later examined in greater detail through the podcast series 'Fur & Loathing,' which explored the events surrounding the gas attack and interviewed key figures connected to the case. Despite the ongoing investigation and media attention, the true motives and identities behind this alarming attack remain shrouded in mystery.
