The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has officially confirmed that the 2005 shooting death of iconic journalist Hunter S. Thompson was a suicide, following a comprehensive review initiated at the request of local authorities and his widow. The announcement came on Friday, bringing closure to nearly two decades of speculation surrounding the circumstances of the gonzo journalism pioneer's passing.
Review Initiated by Widow's Concerns
The investigation was reopened in September after Anita Thompson, the journalist's widow, contacted Pitkin County Sheriff Michael Buglione with what authorities described as "new concerns and potential information" regarding the original investigation into her husband's death. While the bureau did not disclose the specific nature of these concerns, they emphasized that the thorough review addressed all questions raised by the family.
Findings Confirm Original Investigation
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation stated that their review found Thompson's body "was not moved or 'staged' after death," directly addressing one of the lingering questions about the scene. Investigators conducted interviews with family members and original investigators, confirming that Thompson had been suffering from significant depression and chronic pain at the time of his death.
Pitkin County coroner Dr. Steven Ayers noted that Thompson was experiencing both physical and mental decline and had idolized author Ernest Hemingway, who also died by suicide. "All speculative theories could not be substantiated," the bureau declared in their official statement.
Family Response and Closure
In a statement included with the announcement, Anita Thompson expressed gratitude to the bureau for their "kind and thorough work." She added, "This allows all of us who loved Hunter to move forward with a clean conscience," indicating the family's acceptance of the findings after years of uncertainty.
Investigation Details Revealed
CBI spokesperson Rob Low revealed that investigators tracked the path of the bullet that killed Thompson with the help of a fragment that remained lodged in an appliance at the home. This forensic detail provided additional confirmation of the original findings. The Thompson home was re-examined as part of the review, though most physical evidence and photographs from the original investigation had been destroyed under standard protocols for cases not considered criminal.
Background on Thompson's Death
Hunter S. Thompson, who revolutionized journalism with his first-person gonzo style in works like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," died in February 2005 at his Aspen-area home, Owl Farm in Woody Creek. He was 67 years old at the time of his death. His remains were famously cremated and fired from a cannon during a private ceremony in Colorado, attended by celebrities including actor Johnny Depp, who portrayed Thompson in the 1998 film adaptation of "Fear and Loathing."
Official Statements and Protocol
Sheriff Michael Buglione stated that while he believed the original investigation was conducted properly, he recognized the importance of an independent review. "CBI's conclusions reaffirm the original findings and, we hope, provide reassurance and clarity," he said in his official statement. CBI spokesperson Rob Low declined to comment on the specific concerns that prompted the review, and Sheriff Buglione did not immediately respond to requests for additional information about the case.
The confirmation brings definitive closure to one of the most discussed deaths in American literary history, affirming the original determination while addressing the family's lingering questions through a transparent review process conducted by Colorado authorities.
