Suicide of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson confirmed for second time [View all]

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Suicide of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson confirmed for second time

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation reinvestigated Thompson's 2005 death at his widow's request


Hunter S. Thompson at his ranch on Oct. 12, 1990 in Woody Creek, Aspen, Colo.
---------- Paul Harris / Getty Images file

Jan. 23, 2026, 3:45 PM EST
By Corky Siemaszko

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.

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