A Bear’s Tale of Overdose and the Bizarre Events That Followed, Imagine stumbling upon a bear in the wild, only to discover that it had ingested a large amount of cocaine. Sounds like a scene from a far-fetched movie, right? However, this bizarre event actually occurred in 1985, resulting in the infamous “Cocaine Bear” tale. With the release of the recent horror-comedy film “Cocaine Bear,” directed by Elizabeth Banks, there’s been a resurgence of interest in the story. Let’s separate fact from fiction and dive into the true story behind this strange phenomenon.
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The Man Behind the Cocaine Bear: Andrew Thornton
Andrew Thornton, a former narcotics officer turned drug smuggler, is the man responsible for the events leading to the “Cocaine Bear” incident. He was a member of the so-called “Company,” a notorious drug smuggling ring in the 1980s. On September 11, 1985, Thornton embarked on a drug smuggling mission, which ultimately led to his demise.
A Fatal Parachute Jump and a Cocaine Scattering
During his smuggling mission, Thornton decided to parachute from his plane while carrying a heavy load of cocaine. Unfortunately, his parachute failed to open, resulting in his death upon impact. As his body fell, the duffle bag containing the cocaine ripped open, scattering 40 packages of the drug across the forests of Georgia and Kentucky.
The Discovery of the ‘Cocaine Bear’
In December 1985, a hunter discovered the body of a black bear in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia. The bear, which was later nicknamed “Pablo EskoBear,” had consumed one of the packages of cocaine that Thornton had dropped during his fall. The bear’s autopsy revealed that it had ingested a lethal amount of the drug, approximately 76 pounds of pure cocaine, which led to its death.
Fact or Fiction? The Legacy of the ‘Cocaine Bear’
Although the events surrounding the “Cocaine Bear” may seem too bizarre to be true, they are indeed based on real-life events. However, the recent film adaptation has added elements of fiction for dramatic and comedic effects. The movie portrays the bear’s discovery by a group of campers, who subsequently become targets of a supernatural force. While this twist is purely fictional, it has contributed to the popularization of the true story.
The Enduring Fascination with the ‘Cocaine Bear’
The “Cocaine Bear” phenomenon continues to captivate audiences, thanks to the real-life events that unfolded in the 1980s and the recent horror-comedy film. The story serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of life and a reminder that truth can often be stranger than fiction. As the tale of “Pablo EskoBear” lives on, one can’t help but wonder what other bizarre and unbelievable stories are waiting to be discovered in the annals of history.
What is the true story behind Cocaine Bear?
A documentary titled Cocaine Bear: The True Story is now streaming on Peacock, recounting the true story of a former narcotics investigator-turned-drug runner Andrew Thornton whose ill-fated 1985 smuggling attempt led to the cocaine-induced death of a bear in northern Georgia and his untimely death outside of a …
Is Cocaine Bear on Netflix?
few ways to watch Cocaine Bear online in the US You can use a streaming service such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. You can also rent or buy the movie on iTunes or Google Play.
How many people died in Cocaine Bear?
A black bear did die in the Georgia woods of a cocaine overdose in the fall of 1985. In the movie, the bear goes on a cocaine-induced rampage and attacks and kills eight people. In real life, the cocaine the bear ingested killed it in about 45 minutes.
