Aubrey McClendon

[holliscx]

Don't know much about McClendon's story but can't ever recall so many articles coming out saying his car crash wasn't a suicide.

Nothing about the circumstance or crash suggests it was an accident so could there be incentive from his camp to have such an aggressive PR spin after his death?

Totally speculating but e.g. to protect shareholder interests, prevent lawsuits etc. that some would gain if his death were ruled an accident and not a suicide.

Been thinking about this today so I'm just curious again don't know much about the man or his story but found the surfeit of recent articles odd

[vertical_doug]

I will answer this and hopefully the thread gets locked.

Aubrey was larger than life. A risk taker instrumental in creating the shale boom.

Part owner of the Thunder.

Some people view his indictment more as persecution than prosecution.

Oil and Gas guys are fighters and don't quit. They also tend to be eternal optimists.

RIP

[edoz]

Nothing about the circumstance or crash suggests it was an accident

The state medical examiner and local police disagree with you.

[Jonathan]

The story I read said there was no evidence it wasn't an accident. Considering the sensitivity of the end result that's good enough for me. It's sad either way for the people who cared for him.

[holliscx]

Oil and Gas guys are fighters and don't quit. They also tend to be eternal optimists.

If wrongdoing they have a lot to lose though. Remember Enron?

The state medical examiner and local police disagree with you.

Would an independent investigation reach the same conclusion?

The story I read said there was no evidence it wasn't an accident.

I read there was no attempt to slow down that the accelerator went from metal touching metal to 88% suppressed 1 1/2 seconds before impact so he lightly removed his foot just before impact.

Their conclusion was maybe he fell asleep while driving 90mph into a wall on a straight road immediately following his indictment. Did the dog eat his homework too?

# #

Don't mean to tread on his death or disrespect his family but I don't ever recall seeing so many articles come forward like this and wonder what role his money and influence may play

Mods you can lock or delete. I've been brooding over and was just genuinely curious. Thanks.

[vertical_doug]

If wrongdoing they have a lot to lose though. Remember Enron?

Enron was essentially a utility / gas distributor accused of accounting fraud. A very different mix of business from a self-made man in the oil & gas drilling business.
Neither Skilling nor Fastow committed suicide after Enron.

McClendon almost bankrupted himself in 2008 during the financial crisis because he had too much leverage and had posted shares as collateral. (Another Goldman Share-collateral-loan-blow you out at the bottom special )

He came back from that set back.

The community of independent oil guys is pretty tight. If they have a set back, they just figure they need to find another dollar so they can drill another hole and hit it big.

[holliscx]

WSJ comments are skeptical saying the accidental death ruling was an insurance move which was kind of what I was getting at for majority are saying "yeah right" which was my reaction.

Many added his political ties are deeper than Chesapeake's wells.

[edoz]

WSJ comments are skeptical

The comments on WSJ are about .003" closer to credible than the comments on any other news site, or YouTube. Comments from hacks, nuts and in the know wannabes who would likely be trying to sell info if they had anything remotely reliable.
Sounds like you desparately want to uncover some sort of conspiracy here, but since the rulings are in and they don't support it , just let it go. It won't really matter to you once you've moved on to the next bit of news.

[EricKeller]

I don't know how you would be able to tell unless he left a note. Maybe he was reading his facebook

I know someone that had a single car accident. He was in a lot of mental distress at the time, so it was a little suspicious. He survived without serious injury and is doing well. I could never see any reason to ask him about it

[holliscx]

Sounds like you desparately want to uncover some sort of conspiracy here, but since the rulings are in and they don't support it , just let it go.

Actually the official word says they also can't rule out suicide.

This is from an OKC newspaper:

The vehicle veered left of center nearly 200 feet before crashing into the wall, the accident report stated. The vehicle's crash data box also revealed that McClendon tapped the brake pedal, but did not attempt to slow just before the crash, Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty said in March.

Does this seem like the behavior of someone falling asleep I don't think it does but are you vehement because you live in state? I'm simply curious and not looking to ruffle anyone's feathers.

[vertical_doug]

88mph is 129 ft/s. Which means he only had to be inattentive for 1.5 seconds.

If it is for insurance, you don't need to make it so public. Once you have the ruling, you can deal with the insurance claims. The PR doesn't help and in fact it just brings more reporters snooping around.

I just think alot of people in the industry liked him, and do not want to see his name muddied with a suicide.

He wasn't broke, he had been through adversity before, bankrupt in late 1980 before fixing Ches and taking in public in 93, almost wiped out in 2008, the indictments are more of a pain in the ass and most likely dismissed. Someone is going to lend him money and he is going to be able to start again.... so dont see a reason too quit.