Psychological Autopsy—Jeret Peterson

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Psychological Autopsy—Jeret Peterson Jeret “Speedy” Peterson, an American World Cup aerial skier was a three-time Olympian. Reaching top speeds around 45 MPH, he soared off jumps twisting and flipping in the air for distances over 150 meters. Thrill seeking, Speedy was considered to be one of the world’s most risk-taking and innovative freestyle skiers. His most famous trick called the Hurricane, entails three flips, five spins and can result in a million disastrous outcomes. For such a career, precision was heavily relied upon. His ability to achieve such stability and control with ease was explained in an interview, stating “Fifty-five feet in the air, upside down and backward, I’m more comfortable than I am standing upright.”[1] Many would not find anything comforting about essentially falling out of a fifth-story window and being able to land on their feet. However, skiing was a safe haven for Peterson, as he struggled to find comfort anywhere else in his life. At a young age he grew accustomed to unimaginable highs and devastating lows. At the age of 29, Peterson was found dead, in a remote canyon in Utah on July 25, 2011. After the Salt Lake County Police Department completed the investigation, the cause of death was determined to be a self inflicted gunshot wound. It was also reported that he dialed 911 to give his exact location after clearly stating his intentions of taking his life. Law officials say there was a suicide note but declined to reveal what it said.[2] This was not the first notion of suicidal behavior for Jeret. Peterson was very open with his past and had many documented interviews and discussions where he was honest to world while discussing both his successes and downfalls. Pain chased Peterson. At the age of 5, he lost his half sister in a drunk driving accident. According to his mom, he was also sexually abused as a child by a family

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