Jeret Peterson: Olympic Skier Commits Suicide

by NowPublic Staff | July 26, 2011 at 03:39 pm

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Jeret 'Speedy' Peterson: Olympic Freestyle Skier Kills Himself

Salt Lake City, Utah police have confirmed that Jeret "Speedy" Peterson. three-time Olympian and freestyle skiing silver medalist at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, is dead. Peterson called 911 to tell the operator that he was going to commit suicide in Lamb's Canyon, before shooting himself on the evening of July 25. He was 29 years old.

Jeret Peterson had been pulled over for drunk driving in Hailey, Idaho only a few days earlier. According to police, he had been going three times the speed limit; Peterson pleaded not guilty to DUI.

Peterson was dismissed from the 2006 Turin Winter Games after getting in a brawl at a party. Vancouver 2010 was his big comeback: he landed his signature "Hurricane" move to shoot from fifth to second place.