Hunter S Thompson's death to be reviewed more than 20 years later

The death of Hunter S Thompson is set to be reviewed, more than 20 years after it was ruled a suicide.

The journalist and author was believed to have killed himself on 20 February 2005 at the age of 67 and while there isn’t any new evidence to suggest otherwise, his widow Anita Thompson has requested that the Colorado Bureau of Investigation conduct a review. Thompson died at his home in Woody Creek, Colorado.

“We understand the profound impact Hunter S Thompson had on this community and beyond,” said the sheriff, Michael Buglione, in a press release. “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 died while his wife was on the phone with him. He was found by his son.

“I didn’t believe it,” Anita told the Observer 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.”

At the time, Rolling Stone published what his friend Douglas Brinkley claimed was a suicide note. “No More Games,” it read. “No More Bombs. No More Walking. No More Fun. No More Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50. 17 more than I needed or wanted. Boring. I am always bitchy. No Fun — for anybody. 67. You are getting Greedy. Act your old age. Relax — This won’t hurt.”

The review will bring in “an independent perspective” to an investigation originally conducted by the Pitkin county sheriff’s office and will take “an unspecified amount of time”.

Thompson is credited with the birth of “gonzo” journalism with early defining pieces mostly appearing in Rolling Stone magazine. His books included Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Hell’s Angels and The Rum Diary.

• In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email [email protected] or [email protected]. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counsellor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org