Police: Freestyle Olympic skier kills self in Utah

The Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, July 26 2011 5:58 p.m. MDT

View 2 photos »

Jeret Peterson of the United States celebrates winning the silver medal during the freestyle skiing men's aerials final on day 14 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at Cypress Mountain Resort on February 25, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada.

Streeter Lecka, Getty Images

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah law enforcement officials say Olympic silver medalist Jeret "Speedy" Peterson has killed himself in an isolated canyon.

The Unified Police department reported Peterson called 911 before shooting himself on Monday evening.

Officers found the 29-year-old about 9:30 p.m. between Salt Lake City and Park City in Lambs Canyon.

Peterson, who won the silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, was cited for drunken driving Friday in Hailey, Idaho.

Police say they clocked Peterson driving three times the speed limit. He pleaded not guilty.

Peterson was dismissed from the 2006 Turin Olympics after a drunken brawl and was cited in Boise for public urination in 2009. He placed 9th in the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.

In 2005, Peterson was charged with burglary and stealing weapons. He pleaded guilty after felony charges were reduced.

Featured Comments

See all 3 comments »

Utah Girl

Vernal, UT

How sad! What a waste of potential for this young man. I feel sorry for his family, and those who knew and loved him, for I am sure they are grieving. He was fun to watch in the Olympics. My condolences.

7:00 p.m. July 26, 2011
Top comment

korn75

Cedar Hills, UT

Yes. Very. Sad.

9:02 p.m. July 26, 2011
Top comment

tenkids

Monument Valley, Utah

my condolences to his family and friends, how tragic, I hope he is remembered for his smile and his innate ability to overcome obstacles. It amazes me how we can measure success by medals however when someone falters it is just as easy to measure More..

1:57 a.m. July 27, 2011
Top comment

Comments