Information regarding Michael Hastings' death remains elusive
ts been nearly three weeks since Michael Hastings was killed in a fiery car accident in West Los Angeles. The award-winning journalist earned his stripes as a wartime reporter and captured fame with his 2010 Rolling Stone story that forced General Stanley McChrystal to resign as commander of the US forces in Afghanistan.
According to City News Service Hastings, 33, was driving south on Highland Avenue when he apparently lost control of the compact (2013 Mercedes Benz CLK250) near Melrose Avenue and crashed into palm trees in the median about 4:20 a.m. Tuesday (June 18). The car's engine reportedly ended up about 200 feet away from the impact site.
An eyewitness at the scene, Jose, employed at nearby business ALSCO Inc said, the car was travelling very fast and he heard a couple explosions shortly before the car crashed.
In fact, the explosion was so intense that it took the LA County assistant corner, Ed Winter, two days to identify the burned-beyond recognition body of Hastings. Officials confirm that an autopsy has been performed, but the cause of death is pending. LAPD media spokesperson Lieutenant Andrew Neiman said, it will take several weeks to get the toxicology results. By stark contrast, in Italy, Sopranos star James Gandolfinis family received the toxicology report within a few days.
Despite the intensity of the single car accident, an LAPD statement determined that there was no foul play involved.
*snip*
In an atypical response the FBI Los Angeles-based bureau spokeswoman Laura Eimiller emailed media emphatically denying their agency was looking into Mr. Hastings background.
Once the back and forth commenced, friends of Hastings posted the last frantic email they would receive from their colleague. It read:
Subject: FBI Investigation, re: NSA -Hey (redacted names) the Feds are interviewing my close friends and associates. Perhaps if the authorities arrive BuzzFeed GQ, er HQ, may be wise to immediately request legal counsel before any conversations or interviews about our news gathering practices or related journalism issues. Also: Im onto a big story, and need to go off the rada[r] for a bit.
All the best, and hope to see you all soon. Michael
*snip*
ts been nearly three weeks since Michael Hastings was killed in a fiery car accident in West Los Angeles. The award-winning journalist earned his stripes as a wartime reporter and captured fame with his 2010 Rolling Stone story that forced General Stanley McChrystal to resign as commander of the US forces in Afghanistan.
According to City News Service Hastings, 33, was driving south on Highland Avenue when he apparently lost control of the compact (2013 Mercedes Benz CLK250) near Melrose Avenue and crashed into palm trees in the median about 4:20 a.m. Tuesday (June 18). The car's engine reportedly ended up about 200 feet away from the impact site.
An eyewitness at the scene, Jose, employed at nearby business ALSCO Inc said, the car was travelling very fast and he heard a couple explosions shortly before the car crashed.
In fact, the explosion was so intense that it took the LA County assistant corner, Ed Winter, two days to identify the burned-beyond recognition body of Hastings. Officials confirm that an autopsy has been performed, but the cause of death is pending. LAPD media spokesperson Lieutenant Andrew Neiman said, it will take several weeks to get the toxicology results. By stark contrast, in Italy, Sopranos star James Gandolfinis family received the toxicology report within a few days.
Despite the intensity of the single car accident, an LAPD statement determined that there was no foul play involved.
*snip*
In an atypical response the FBI Los Angeles-based bureau spokeswoman Laura Eimiller emailed media emphatically denying their agency was looking into Mr. Hastings background.
Once the back and forth commenced, friends of Hastings posted the last frantic email they would receive from their colleague. It read:
Subject: FBI Investigation, re: NSA -Hey (redacted names) the Feds are interviewing my close friends and associates. Perhaps if the authorities arrive BuzzFeed GQ, er HQ, may be wise to immediately request legal counsel before any conversations or interviews about our news gathering practices or related journalism issues. Also: Im onto a big story, and need to go off the rada[r] for a bit.
All the best, and hope to see you all soon. Michael
*snip*
