The death ofHunter S Thompsonis set to be reviewed, more than 20 years afterit 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, ina 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," Anitatoldthe 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 Stonepublishedwhat 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,Samaritanscan be contacted on freephone 116 123, or emailjo@samaritans.orgorjo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineon 988, chat on988lifeline.org, ortext HOMEto 741741 to connect with a crisis counsellor. In Australia, the crisis support serviceLifelineis 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found atbefrienders.org
