Olympic Skier Jeret 'Speedy' Peterson Commits Suicide

On : 2011 Jul 27

Jeret Peterson

Vancouver Olympics silver medalist Jeret "Speedy" Peterson died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials have confirmed.

Peterson, 29, shot himself in the head outside his car off Interstate 80 in Lambs Canyon, Utah, east of Salt Lake City, on Monday night.

He left a suicide note and had called the emergency dispatcher before shooting himself, police said.

The skier, known for his signature move, the Hurricane, battled alcoholism and depression throughout his adult life and had attempted suicide at least once before, according to The New York Times. He was the youngest of three kids; his teenage half-sister, Kim was killed in a drunken driving accident when he was 5. In 2005, a friend committed suicide at his house, in front of him.

Peterson had been cited for drunken driving last Friday in Hailey, Idaho.

"The personal challenges that Speedy has battled are familiar to all of us," said U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun, "and on behalf of the U.S. Olympic Committee, I'd like to offer my sympathy to Speedy's family and friends. Today is a sad day."

Filed under: Rest In Peace » Celebrity Gossip

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