WOODY CREEK, CO – January 8, 2026 – The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has completed its comprehensive case review into the 2005 death of author and journalist Dr. Hunter S. Thompson and has affirmed the original determination of suicide.
The case review was initiated following a written request from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) on July 31, 2025. This request came after Thompson’s widow, Anita Thompson, contacted Sheriff Michael Buglione with new concerns and potential information regarding the investigation into the death, which occurred on February 20, 2005, at the Thompson residence, Owl Farm, in Woody Creek, Colorado.
“While we have always believed the original investigation was conducted properly, we recognized the importance of an independent review for the Thompson family,” said Sheriff Michael Buglione. “CBI’s conclusions reaffirm the original findings and, we hope, provide reassurance and clarity.”
Summary of the Review Process
CBI Special Agents, Supervisory Agents, and the Major Crimes Analyst conducted a thorough review that included:
- Reviewing Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement records and autopsy reports from Forensic Pathologist Dr. Dean Havlik.
- Conducting interviews with multiple parties, including:
- Hunter’s widow, Anita Thompson.
- Hunter’s son, Juan Thompson, and ex-daughter-in-law, Jennifer Thompson
- The original lead investigator, Ron Ryan, and the Pitkin County Coroner, Dr. Steven Ayers.
- Former Pitkin County Sheriff and Undersheriff Joe DiSalvo.
- Conducting a scene examination, which was necessary as most original physical evidence and photographs had been disposed of by the PCSO in accordance with non-criminal case retention schedules.
Key Findings and Conclusion
The CBI’s review did not uncover any new physical evidence, facts, or circumstances to support a conclusion different from the 2005 investigation.
Corroboration of Original Investigation: The modern trajectory analysis and scene reconstruction conducted in 2025—which was based on the intact bullet defect—was consistent with the original PCSO investigation, the autopsy report, and the observations of original investigators.