Sawt Falasteen - New probe opens into Hunter S. Thompson's 2005 death

Thompson penned the seminal "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," becoming a major counter-culture figure whose drug-fueled life fused with his ground-breaking literary style.

After his 2005 death near Aspen, Colorado, was ruled a suicide, Thompson's cremated remains were fired from a cannon by Johnny Depp, who played the writer in the film version of his most famous work.

"The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is currently conducting a case review into the death of renowned journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, at the suggestion of the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office following a request from his widow, Anita Thompson," said a statement issued Tuesday.

Sheriff Michael Buglione said no new evidence suggesting foul play had come to light, but that his office was intent on expelling any lingering doubts.

"We understand the profound impact Hunter S. Thompson had on this community and beyond," said Buglione.

"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."

There was no timeline given for the probe.

The Kentucky-born Thompson was the creator of so-called "gonzo" journalism -- a form of storytelling where the author is part of the story -- in the 1970s.

His work details his wild experiences through the lens of drink and drugs, a hard-living lifestyle that put him alongside rock and pop icons of his era.

"He'd be drinking all the time. In the morning he'd pour a glass of scotch, smoke a cigarette, eat devilled-eggs and go from there," Troy Hooper, associate editor of the Aspen Daily News, said at the time of his funeral.

One of Thompson's famous lines covered all the vices. "I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me."

S.Barghouti--SF-PST