The death of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson two decades ago was ruled a suicide Friday by Colorado authorities — for the second time.
The original investigation into Thompson's February 2005 death at his home in Aspen from what local authorities described as a “self-inflicted gunshot wound" to the head, was revisited by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation at the request of his widow.
"The CBI’s review did not uncover any new physical evidence, facts, or circumstances to support a conclusion different from the 2005 investigation," the agency said in a statement.
Thompson's widow, Anita Thompson, said the finding closes a final chapter for her.
"I’m thankful for the kind and thorough work done by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in their review of this case, and not a single attempt to overstep the ethical boundaries of a technical review, especially under such difficult circumstances." she said in a statement. "This allows all of us who loved Hunter to move forward with a clean conscience."
Thompson was best known for his book “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and for popularizing a kind of journalism dubbed gonzo that blended fact with fiction, which required him to literally immerse himself in an event or story. He was 67 at the time of his death.
The Pitkin County Sheriff's Office investigated and concluded Thompson died by suicide at his home, which he dubbed Owl Farm.
Anita Thompson also agreed, at the time, that her husband died by suicide. She told The Associated Press that her husband had spoken of suicide in the months leading to his death. He spoke of how he was at the “peak” of his life and, “if he quit now, he would feel he was a champion,” she said.
But last year the widow requested a review of her husband's death.
The New York Times reported earlier this month that Anita Thompson had heard that a relative had been spreading rumors that Thompson's death had been made to “look like a suicide" and suggested a possible cover-up.
Pitkin County Sheriff Michael Buglione said in October that there was no evidence that suggested foul play in the writer’s death.
The CBI confirmed that Friday.
"A review of the original PCSO reports found no information inconsistent with the follow-up interviews or the recent scene examination," the agency said. "Original crime scene photographs, recovered by Anita Thompson, were reviewed and corroborated that Thompson’s body was aligned with the bullet trajectory, supporting the finding that the body was not moved or 'staged' after death."
Thompson, according to the CBI, was suffering from chronic pain and depression and idolized Nobel Prize-winning writer Ernest Hemingway, who died by suicide in 1961.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
