Brief by Allen Best
Mountain Life – April 2005 – Colorado Central Magazine
In addition to Hunter Thompson, three other people have killed themselves this year in the Roaring Fork Valley, where Aspen is located, and another person hanged herself.
In fact, Pitkin County, where Aspen is located, and adjoining Garfield County, where many of Aspen’s workers live, both have suicide rates well above state and national averages. Eagle County, where Vail is located, is in line with the national average.
“Everyone likes to talk about ‘quality of life’ around here, and the emphasis is on having fun, skiing, partying, going to restaurants, arts, and music,” Jeff Kremer, programming director for the Aspen Counseling Center, told The Aspen Times. “But the truth is there is a dark side that this community hasn’t been overly eager to talk about.”
The Aspen Valley Medical Foundation is planning a conference in June to address substance abuse, depression, and suicide.
As for Thompson, his suicide provoked comment from across the world, as scores of writers revealed how his writing had strongly influenced them and motivated them to seek “truth” instead of merely operating a conveyor line of facts.
As for the family members – he shot himself when his son, grandson, and daughter-in-law were nearby – they said they’re fine with his suicide and the manner in which he did it, if saddened by his absence. His widow said the same thing.