Like you, I would prefer that the "three editors" to whom that link refers actually be named. I suspect that if the story had appeared without byline (kind of difficult with NPR's format, but e.g. Economist does it), the reporter would have remained anonymous even after the retraction. ISTM, however, that other organizations would have just thrown their source under the bus, like e.g. Rolling Stone with their UVa rape story. Perhaps NPR will do that eventually, but they haven't done so yet, to their credit.

HN prides itself on its wisdom and judgement, but we got this one completely wrong too. When the original story appeared, nearly everyone here swallowed every detail of this whopper completely, while the few who didn't (hint: me!) saw their comments downvoted to oblivion.