Hunter S. Thompson's death to be reviewed after over 20 years

Authorities have announced the death of Hunter S. Thompson will be reviewed more than 20 years after it was ruled a suicide.

Anita Thompson, the journalist and author's widow, issued a request to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for a "fresh look" on her late husband's death.

"We understand the profound impact Hunter S. Thompson had on this community and beyond," said Sheriff Michael Buglione in a statement from the Bureau.

"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."

The Bureau said the review is "to provide an independent perspective on the 2005 investigation" and that "while there is no new evidence suggesting foul play," authorities are committed to answering questions related to the death.

A 67-year-old Thompson was found dead in his Colorado home on February 20, 2005 from an alleged self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The initial investigation ruled the death a suicide.

According to police reports and local news, his wife was on the phone with him as he cocked a gun — a noise she mistook for the sound of his typewriter keys, leading her to hang up just as he fired the gun.

His grandson and daughter-in-law were in the next room when they heard the gunshot. They reportedly mistook the sound for a book falling and thus did not immediately check on Thompson.

His son Juan found his body. According to cell phone records, Juan waited 30 minutes before calling the sheriff's office.

After notifying the sheriff's office, Juan walked outside and fired three shotgun blasts into the air to "mark the passing of his father" as described in police reports.

The police report said a single piece of paper was found in Thompson's typewriter with the date "Feb. 22 '05" and a single word: "counselor."

At the time, Rolling Stone published what Thompson's friend Douglas Brinkley claimed was a suicide note written to Anita.

"No More Games," read the note, which was titled 'Football Season Is Over'.

"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."

Thompson's friends told local news that he had suffered from depression and substance abuse, and found February to be a "gloomy" month as it coincided with the end of football season and the heaviest winter weather in the region. They also said Thompson was frustrated with his age and medical problems.

"I didn’t believe it," said Anita to The Observer at the time.

"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."

According to Anita, actor Johnny Depp funded Thompson's $3 million (€2.6 million) funeral.

"All I'm doing is trying to make sure his last wish comes true," said Depp, reportedly a friend of Thompson's, to  the Associated Press at the time.

"I just want to send my pal out the way he wants to go out."

The Bureau said the review will take "an unspecified amount of time" and that "there is no firm deadline for its completion."

Thompson is often credited with creating the style of "gonzo" journalism, with the majority of his most popular work published in Rolling Stone.

Publisher Jann Wenner described Thompson as being "in the DNA of Rolling Stone" and many of his contemporaries said he was responsible for expanding the scope of the magazine's coverage beyond music reviews and criticism.

One of his most well-known works was his 1967 book Hell's Angels, for which he spent a year living with the Hells Angels motorcycle gang to write the most accurate first-hand account of their experiences.