Olympic medallist commits suicide
Olympic silver medallist skier Jeret "Speedy" Peterson has committed suicide near Salt Lake City, days after his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.
Peterson, 29, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Monday night, shortly after he had called emergency dispatch to say he was going to kill himself, said Lieutenant Justin Hoyal, a spokesman for Unified Police of Greater Salt Lake.
He was a silver medallist in the men's freestyle aerials competition at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada.
Peterson's body was found beside his vehicle on a road just outside Salt Lake City, Hoyal said. Police said he left a suicide note, but they declined to reveal the contents of the message.
Peterson's death on Monday came three days after the Olympic athlete was arrested in Idaho on suspicion of misdemeanour drunken driving. He was released from the Blaine County Jail in Idaho after posting $500 bail.
He had been arrested after speeding in a Dodge Dakota pickup through Hailey on Friday, in south-central Idaho, at an estimated 70 miles per hour - over the local speed limit of 25 mph - police said.
He failed three field sobriety tests, including a walk and turn and a one-leg stand, according to a police report.
Peterson pleaded not guilty in paperwork filed by his attorney to the charge of driving under the influence and the speeding citation.
Originally from Boise, Idaho, he most recently lived in the ski haven of Park City, Utah. He had not planned on competing during the 2012 season and was a full-time business student at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, according to the US Ski and Snowboard Association.
Peterson gained the nickname "Speedy" because coaches thought he resembled the cartoon character "Speed Racer" when wearing his helmet, the association said.
He invented his signature jump the "Hurricane", a five-twist and three-flip manoeuvre that landed him the silver medal in Vancouver.
"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," US Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun said.
"The personal challenges Speedy has battled are familiar to all of us, and on behalf of the US Olympic Committee, I'd like to offer my sympathy to Speedy's family and friends," Blackmun said.
Peterson's behaviour at times got him in trouble with the law and sports officials. In 2006, he was sent home from Italy's Turin Winter Olympics after a fight, according to the US Ski and Snowboard Association.
Peterson was found guilty in 2008 of public urination in Boise and in 2006 he pleaded guilty to theft by receiving stolen property, according to Idaho court records.
Comment 165 - 184 of 184
Yes, I agree that depression is a terrible illness with awful consequences, if you cant find your way out of it. I have had it on and off all my life (since the age of 17), and I have had some very tough inner battles at times. Unless you have been there in that very dark place, ccontemplating suicide, you cant possibly imagine what its like. Luckily I was brought up to believe in God, and his son Jesus Christ, and his word the Bible, and that belieft/faith and the support and love of my family has always got me through my darkest days. You can talk to God about anything, and at any time of the day or night, no matter where you are in the world, and he will ALWAYS hear you and give you help!! When no-one else understands how you feel, HE does and he will never desert his own in their time of need. Speedy must have been in a terrible place to kill himself, and although taking your own life IS a sin (according to the Bible) I am sure that God can understand and forgive him for his error. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this terrible time, as they are the ones who now have the hurt and despair to cope with. Rest in peace Speedy, and may God give your family the spiritual support they now so desperately need. May God and his spirit be with you all. x x
Shanoskay (184). Whether you believe it or not, whether you understand it or not, whether you like or not, whether you critisize it or not, God is exists, and even in you he resides. You are obviously lacking and whatever made you say there is no God shall worsen until you ACKNOWLEDGE there is God. I suggest you go on your knees and pour out your heart to God about whatever is in your heart that you are so bitter about. If you dont know what to say, just kneel and be silent before the Lord. I say this because according to your comment, you are spreading a false message that has deadly consequences to people around the world. You dont believe there is God and you want to take as many people as you can down with you. God does exist and he LOVES everyone the same, even you.
@Leci, Very well said...I couldn't agree more!!
R.I.P
Jenny (197), YOU ARE A VERY VERY SICK PERSON, YOU NEED HELP.
R.I.P. "SPEEDY". People, judgement belongs to God and only GOD.
in limbo now
Blesshim , what a tormented , talented man ~
R.I.P
i bet the police that made him feel that he was no good have they got a gold medal, yes for jail walking...
its so sad did he not have any friends, and i suppose that the police that made him do silly things dident see that he was not HOME;; THEY SHOULD FEEL VERY FRIGHTEN NOW YOU WAIT AND SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN,,
No one commits suicide for the fun of it or to punish their families and loved ones. People commit suicide because they have lost the will to live and feel that there is no meaning left to thier lives. Usually there is a long-standing case of mental health problems and in particularly - depression. The person feels that he can no longer continue a life of abject unhappiness. I dont think that anyone can fully comprehend how one feels when one suffers depression or some sort of mental health problem. For many of us if we have a problem, we can resign from it, divorce it, run away from it, take it to court, have it cured, remove it, postpone it, break-up with it or give it away. Depression and mental health problems REMAIN with the sufferer, it is constantly there inside the person's mind, cutting the person off from his network because it is difficult to make and maintain meaningful relationships, making him feel isolated and alone. Some suffers feel that they and their family will be better off if they are dead. People who are contemplating suicide, my advice to you is to reach out: to seek help and understand that you are not alone. Harness yourself with a few good friends and family members and take advantage of support groups and networks. Believing is God is gives you hope for the future and the understanding that there is a greater person who loves and cares for you. Be strong, seeking help is the greatest symbol of your strength!
Any loss of life is saddening, including Speedy's. God does not want souls to perish, but to be saved. That is why He has not given ANYONE the right to take his/her life. Obviously, the world may not want to know this as people unconsciously prefer not to know the truth -they just want what makes THEM happy, no matter the consequence.
In response to Jean (above, and like-thinkers), God IS God, and will remain God, no matter your thinking or position. Also, it does not matter whether you believe it or not, He is God, and everyone will be judged according to what we did in our bodies and the life that God GAVE us.
My sincere prayer for the family, friends and fans Speedy left behind is that God will grant them fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss and bring them to the peace of His WORD. May God bless you.
For those who seek the truth, there are places, like RCCG: Place of His Presence, where you can learn and know the truth that will set you free.
What a waste of talent.... Someone didn't forgive him for somthing???? Maybe??? We all need to learn forgivness and we also need to learn to forgive ourselves most of all.... Whatever demons he had or anyone has for that matter, are not enough to make you kill yourself.... I believe we have all thought about it at one time or another... But believe me, all of our problems are only temporary and time does truely heal all.... They are just stumbling blocks in the road of life and should be dealt with accordingly or if possible, avoided. May God bless him and forgive him and bless his family and friends....
wot a shame R.I.P JERET '' SPEEDY'' THOUGHT R WITH YR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT THIS SAD TIME
Shanoskay.... There is no such thing as god its just mass brain wash, If you truely believe that something is up there go get help! Bawney23 Fair comment... horrible illness!!!
Oh well!!!
People who condemn people taking their own lifes have obviously lived in the perfect world and never had to face a problem. Depression is a very dark place and takes time, help, understanding to come through to find the light again to want to liveagain. People should not judge people so quick when they dont understand. Sympathies to the family. I too have been where your son was but came through and its a long battle. God bless you all x
What I can't understand is how any Dodge vehicle can reach 70 miles per hour.
That clown that says its selfish obviously has never struggled with depression. Nobody can understand depression until they have suffered from it themselves, its easy to make assumptions but suffering from depression can b the most lonely feeling in the world
this is sad... that's why believing in God is so important, becuase if you believe in god no matter the circumstances you know you have something to live for. Also the bible tells you if you bring harm to yourself it is a sin.1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ....prayers go out to his family that god can bring them peace.
Am I right in thinking that he was a victim of the three strikes policy? if so then a term in prison would certainly have added to the guys problems. my sympathies go to the friends and family of "Speedy".
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