The Death Will Be Investigated Two Decades After the Fact
Colorado officials are taking a fresh look at the demise of journalist Hunter S Thompson, 20 years after it was officially deemed a suicide, at the request of his surviving spouse.
Thompson died at the age of 67 at his home in Woody Creek, Colorado, a small town just outside Aspen, in February 2005.
The state's Bureau of Investigation said on Tuesday that it was carrying out a "fresh evaluation" of the original inquiry into his death, though the agency emphasized this was not as a result of new evidence.
"Through the inclusion of an independent body for a fresh look, we aim to deliver a definitive and open examination that might bring peace of mind to his family and the public," Sheriff Michael Buglione of Colorado commented.
He also mentioned that Thompson had had a "significant influence" on his community and beyond.
His Legacy and Professional Life
Thompson was a well-known writer and journalist who contributed to many outlets such as Rolling Stone, Playboy, and ESPN.
His 1971 novel, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - a partly autobiographical tale about the counterculture of the 1960s - was later adapted into a motion picture with Johnny Depp.
Additional works he penned comprise Hells Angels and Generation of Swine.
Particulars of the Investigation
Colorado officials indicated they did not have a time frame for the examination into Thompson's death and would provide an update upon its conclusion.
Thompson succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound while talking on the phone with his wife.
His later his son subsequently discovered his remains in the kitchen, based on published stories.
An official inquiry into his passing detected no indications of suspicious circumstances.
