Hunter S. Thompson's death to be reviewed 20 years after ruled a suicide

AUTHORITIES IN COLORADO have reopened a review into the death of acclaimed journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, nearly 20 years after it was officially ruled a suicide.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) confirmed it is conducting a case review at the request of Thompson’s widow, Anita Thompson.

Officials stressed that the review is not based on new evidence, but is intended to provide an independent assessment of the original investigation.

“We understand the profound impact Hunter S. Thompson had on this community and beyond,” Sheriff Michael Buglione said in a statement.

“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.”

Thompson, 67, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Woody Creek near Aspen, Colorado on 20 February 2005.

He was on the phone with his wife at the time of his death, and his son later discovered his body.

His grandson and daughter-in-law were in the next room when they heard the gunshot. They reportedly mistook the sound for a book falling and thus did not immediately check on Thompson.

“I didn’t believe it,” Anita told local reporters about the news.

“I thought Hunter had fallen down and that poor Juan had panicked and called 911. I thought everything would be fine until I called the sheriff.”

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office concluded at the time that there was no evidence of foul play.

In the days after his death, friends and publications reported that Thompson had left a note, later published by Rolling Stone, which ended with the words: “Relax — This won’t hurt.”

Anita Thompson later told reporters that her husband had spoken about suicide in the months leading up to his death, framing it as his decision to leave life on his own terms.

Thompson, often regarded as the father of “gonzo journalism,” was celebrated for his unflinching, first-person style of reporting.

His works included Hell’s Angels and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. His semi-autobiographical novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was famously adapted into a 1998 film starring Johnny Depp.

A towering figure in both literature and counterculture, Thompson’s funeral reflected his larger-than-life persona: his ashes were launched from a cannon, a spectacle arranged by Depp and attended by numerous celebrities.

The CBI has not provided a timeline for the review but said updates would be shared once the process is complete. The reexamination will not involve reopening Thompson’s remains, which were cremated in 2005.

• DRCC - 1800 77 8888 (fre, 24-hour helpline)
• Samaritans – 116 123 or email [email protected] (suicide, crisis support)
• Pieta – 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444 – (suicide, self-harm)
• Teenline – 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
• Childline – 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)