The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has confirmed the ruling of Hunter S. Thompson’s death in 2005 as a suicide, more than 20 years after the incident. This review started in July 2025 when Anita Thompson, the widow of the renowned gonzo journalist, expressed new concerns regarding the original investigation to Sheriff Michael Baglione. Thompson, who was 67 at the time of his death, took his own life with a gunshot at their Owl Farm residence in Woody Creek on February 20, 2005.
Baglione stated, “While we’ve always believed the initial investigation was thorough, we understand the necessity of an independent inquiry for the Thompson family. The CBI’s findings back up the original conclusions, and we hope this brings some comfort and clarity.”
The CBI indicated that their investigation found no new evidence or circumstances that would lead to a different conclusion than what was initially determined. Their review encompassed records from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, autopsy results by forensic pathologist Dr. Dean Havlik, and discussions with Anita Thompson, the family, original investigators, the coroner, and former sheriff officials.
Additionally, they examined the scene, although many original pieces of evidence and photographs were lost due to preservation policies. They noted that recent trajectory analysis and scene reconstructions conducted in 2025 were consistent with earlier findings and eyewitness accounts.
Rory Safir, a criminal defense lawyer and forensic scientist, remarked that the choice to reopen the investigation reflects a commitment to transparency rather than doubt about earlier findings. “They initially labeled it as a suicide but chose to look deeper because the family had concerns that weren’t made public,” he noted, adding that this doesn’t imply flaws in the original investigation.
Safir explained that the recent investigation follows standard forensic protocols for revisiting high-profile cases many years later, incorporating original reports and witness interviews. He also highlighted the role of modern technology in confirming findings related to the trajectory of the bullet.
Although specific details prompting Anita Thompson’s request for a review were not disclosed, the CBI maintained that these concerns did not warrant reopening the case. Safir emphasized that a significant threshold needs to be met for a case to be reconsidered, particularly new evidence that contradicts earlier conclusions, which, in this situation, did not occur.
In a somber note, Thompson’s death on February 20, 2005, was marked by a poignant suicide letter stating, “Football season is over,” and expressing a deep sense of boredom and ambivalence toward life. He struggled with depression, substance abuse, and died while his wife was on the phone, with his son finding him afterward.
Thompson, known for pioneering gonzo journalism, authored other notable works like “The Rum Diary” and “Hell’s Angels,” which explored the lives of motorcycle gangs.
