When news broke that 33-year-old writer Michael Hastings had been killed in a fiery car crash in June, the Internet lit up with conspiracy theories. The Guardian’s Glenn Greenwald quickly noted that the last piece Hastings had published before his death was a criticism of Democrats and their support of the NSA’s newly exposed surveillance program.
https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/statuses/347329387559002112
A coroner’s report released today, though, supports Hastings’ family in their claim that the accident was nothing more than an accident. A toxicology report showed traces of marijuana and other drugs in Hastings’ system, and his family says they were trying to convince him to enter a detox program.
https://twitter.com/Aelkus/status/369905466316292096
Michael Hastings died of "traumatic injuries" from his car crash & "had traces of drugs in his system," via @anblanx: http://t.co/QlHdN4xU7z
— Mackenzie Weinger (@mweinger) August 20, 2013
"A medical marijuana card was found in Hastings wallet." It was prescribed because of PTSD from covering the war. http://t.co/cMNksCiwaj
— James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) August 20, 2013
More from Hastings autopsy: Family says he was using drugs again; they were trying to get him to detox. via @anblanx: http://t.co/T5YbwPPvxH
— Kate Mather (@katemather) August 20, 2013
"Hastings was believed sober for 14 years, but had recently begun using drugs again in the past month or so" http://t.co/gejP7fUiKl
— Stefan Becket (@becket) August 20, 2013
Breaking: Hastings had "small amount of Methamphetamine" and THC in system at time of death, coroner says. "Unlikely contributory to death."
— Andrew Blankstein (@anblanx) August 20, 2013
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Dispartity: Coroner's press release says methamphetamine but report says small amount of amphetamine.
— Andrew Blankstein (@anblanx) August 20, 2013
Hastings was most famous for his Rolling Stone story that led to U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s recall to Washington and his eventual resignation.
https://twitter.com/Brett_Fujioka/status/369907137264091136
Not surprisingly, conspiracy theorists are convinced the coroner’s report is just another part of the cover-up.
Oh, so drugs are why Michael Hastings car blew up like a bomb went off. Makes sense…. http://t.co/NLltjrVXXw
— Don Quixote (@DonQuixote1922) August 20, 2013
https://twitter.com/freemau5__/status/369905462579187712