The latest in a string of deaths is an Australian scientist, Tom Loy, 63, found dead in his home. A family member says that he had suffered from a blood disorder for many years.

The others:

Helmut Simon, 67, fell during a blizzard near the spot where Oetzi was found

An hour later, Dieter Warnecke, 45, head of the rescue team sent to find Simon, died of a heart attack

Konrad Spindler, 55, first archaeologist to check Oetzi, multiple sclerosis

Rainer Henn, 64, leader of forensic team inspecting Oetzi, car accident

Kurt Fritz, 52, mountaineer who led Henn to Oetzi’s body, avalanche (only fatality in his group)

Rainer Hoelzl, 47, journalist filming Oetzi’s removal from mountain, brain tumor

So. What else could it be, given that one or two of these deaths might be totally unrelated? Ancient bacteria or spores that lodge in brain tissue of those in contact with Oetzi? That might cause a slight error in judgment?