Thread: U.S. skier Jeret Peterson shot himself to death, police say

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U.S. skier Jeret Peterson shot himself to death, police say

Posted: July 26, 2011, 10:39 pm ET

Aerial skier and Olympic silver medalist Jeret “Speedy” Peterson died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a spokesman for the Utah Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake said.

Police responded to a 911 call Monday night from Peterson, who said he was going to commit suicide and gave them his location in Lambs Canyon, Lt. Justin Hoyal said.

He was already dead by the time officers arrived at 11:30 p.m. ET, Hoyal said.

“This is a sad day for Boise and for all of us who admired Speedy Peterson’s accomplishments, both on the slopes and in his life,” said, Boise Mayor Mayor David H. Bieter, who presented Peterson with the Key to the City last year after he medaled in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

“The hundreds of kids who came to City Hall to shake Speedy’s hand after he medaled in Vancouver last year are a living testament to his power to inspire and motivate. It is truly tragic that, in the end, there was one hill he wasn’t able to conquer. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Peterson won a silver medal in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games for freestyle skiing after pulling off his signature move, the Hurricane.

Peterson picked up the nickname “Speedy” at a summer ski camp in Lake Placid, New York, in the mid-1990s because coaches thought he resembled the cartoon character “Speed Racer” with a big helmet, according to the United States Ski and Snowboard Association website.

He won the 1999 U.S. Junior Championship and took bronze at two straight World Junior Championships in 2000 and 2001.

His life was not without tragedy. He reportedly considered suicide after losing $550,000 in blackjack earnings, according to The New York Times.

His half-sister died in a drunken driving accident when he was 5.

A friend committed suicide at his house, in front of him.

“The personal challenges Speedy has battled are familiar to all of us, 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,” U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun said in a statement.

“I know Speedy’s friends and family were incredibly proud of his effort in Vancouver, and his achievements were an inspiration to people all over the world.”

Posted by CNN's Emanuella Grinberg

From CNN.com

Sad news