Autopsy Rules Disgraced Fracking Magnate's Deadly Car Crash Was an Accident
On Wednesday, the Oklahoma medical examiner’s office ruled that the mysterious car accident that killed fracking magnate Aubrey McClendon—just one day after he was indicted by a federal grand jury for bid rigging—was an accident.
The former CEO of Chesapeake Energy and part-owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder did not have any traces of drugs or alcohol in his system, the report said. McClendon, 56, suffered numerous broken bones and other serious injuries, and his body showed “extensive” burns.
The report, which can be read here, lists multiple blunt force trauma as the cause of death. The examiner did find traces of antihistamine doxylamine, a drug commonly used in sleep aids, but there were no other drugs or alcohol in McClendon’s system.
Police announced Tuesday that there wasn’t enough evidence to prove whether the crash was intentional. “We spoke to anybody who may have had contact with him after he found out about the indictment,” Oklahoma City Police Capt. Paco Balderrama told the Associated Press. “He did not leave anything that would be interpreted as a suicide note or message.”
The data recorder in McClendon’s vehicle showed that the disgraced energy executive floored his gas pedal until just before impact with a concrete bridge, leaving tire tracks but no skid marks.