Additional Coverage:
- Death of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson to be re-examined decades after it was ruled a suicide (nbcnews.com)
Colorado Investigators to Revisit Hunter S. Thompson Death Two Decades Later
Colorado authorities are set to review the death of iconic writer Hunter S. Thompson, nearly two decades after his passing. The decision follows a request from his widow, Anita Thompson, to revisit the original investigation into his death.
Thompson, 67, died in February 2005 at his home in Aspen. His death was officially ruled a suicide, attributed to a “self-inflicted gunshot wound” by authorities at the time. His family released a statement confirming he “took his life.”
The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office recently referred the case to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in response to Anita Thompson’s request for a new examination of the agency’s initial inquiry.
Pitkin County Sheriff Michael Buglione stated in a news release this week that there is no current evidence suggesting foul play in the writer’s death. “We understand the profound impact Hunter S.
Thompson had on this community and beyond,” Buglione remarked. “By bringing in an outside agency for a fresh look, we hope to provide a definitive and transparent review that may offer peace of mind to his family and the public.”
Anita Thompson did not provide a comment when contacted on Wednesday.
Best known for his seminal work “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” Thompson is widely credited with pioneering “gonzo journalism.” This distinctive style involved the journalist immersing themselves in an event or story to the point of active participation, famously leading him into environments such as the Hells Angels motorcycle club during the 1960s.
In the aftermath of his death, Anita Thompson told The Associated Press that her husband had discussed suicide in the months leading up to his passing. She recalled him expressing that he was at the “peak” of his life and believed that “if he quit now, he would feel he was a champion.”
She also shared her deep regret over arguing against his thoughts of suicide, stating, “I threatened him, ‘I’m out of here,’ I wouldn’t mourn, I would hate him. That’s my biggest regret.
I’m so sorry, Hunter. Yeah, that’s my biggest regret.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, confidential support is available by calling or texting 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.