Searching for story of reporter who died in mysterious circumstances
November 23, 2019 2:26 PM Subscribe
Who was this man I'm thinking of and where did I read an article about his mysterious death?
I'm afraid my Google skills have failed me.
A few years back, I read an article about a British or American man who lived quite a charmed life but died under mysterious circumstances, possibly of a drug overdose, in (I think) the Middle East. He may have been some type of journalist. He had a good life (wealthy, handsome, possibly an heir?) in his home country but I think the article discussed his restlessness and desire to return to the country he was doing an investigation. Then he died of (I think) a drug overdose. The article speculated that he may have been poisoned because of what he was investigating.
Please help because this is driving me crazy!
I'm afraid my Google skills have failed me.
A few years back, I read an article about a British or American man who lived quite a charmed life but died under mysterious circumstances, possibly of a drug overdose, in (I think) the Middle East. He may have been some type of journalist. He had a good life (wealthy, handsome, possibly an heir?) in his home country but I think the article discussed his restlessness and desire to return to the country he was doing an investigation. Then he died of (I think) a drug overdose. The article speculated that he may have been poisoned because of what he was investigating.
Please help because this is driving me crazy!
Details are different but this reminded me of Michael Hastings, who reported on the Iraq war and at the time of his death (fiery single-car crash) was investigating the CIA. Witnesses reported that before his death he was highly paranoid/agitated thinking someone was out to get him, but I believe his family feels that he was actually just having a manic episode and possibly under the influence. Not sure if he was particularly wealthy but he was driving a Mercedes at the time.
posted by acidic at 3:09 PM on November 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by acidic at 3:09 PM on November 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Oh, man. Unfortunately, neither Holden nor Hastings seems right, though they're both interesting.
posted by quadrant seasons at 3:28 PM on November 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by quadrant seasons at 3:28 PM on November 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'm reminded of Danny Casolaro, although the details don't fit your description above.
posted by alex1965 at 5:58 PM on November 23, 2019
posted by alex1965 at 5:58 PM on November 23, 2019
Response by poster: This might be my paintroller-in-the-face moment. The Max Cantor article comes closest to the writing style I can remember but I don't think this was it. My memory isn't clear enough for any more helpful details, so this may have to remain a certified AskMeFi mystery.
posted by quadrant seasons at 4:07 AM on November 24, 2019
posted by quadrant seasons at 4:07 AM on November 24, 2019
If he was a journalist, he may be included in one of Reporters Without Borders' yearly reports on journalists killed or attacked across the world (link is to the 2018 report). They only include journalists where they feel their death was clearly linked to their work, but they are very well aware of deaths made to look like accidents.
posted by Vortisaur at 12:48 AM on November 25, 2019
posted by Vortisaur at 12:48 AM on November 25, 2019
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by essexjan at 2:36 PM on November 23, 2019