American Black Bear, also know as Cocaine Bear, that overdosed on 40 kilos of cocaine in 1985, which had been dropped by smugglers in the Georgia wilderness. The story of Pablo Eskobear serves as inspiration for the 2023 movie "Cocaine Bear," except, in real life, the bear never harmed anyone. On September 11th, 1985, narcotics-officer-turned-drug-smuggler Andrew C. Thornton, II, and an accomplice dropped the cocaine from an autopiloted Cessna 404 because of too much weight. They then jumped from the plane, but Thornton got tangled in his parachute and fell to his death. On December 23, 1985, the body of the 175-pound black bear was discovered, along with 40 open plastic bags. Its body was taxidermized and given to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. It was purchased in a pawn shop by country singer Waylon Jennings, who gave it to a friend in Las Vegas. It then made its way to Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington, where it sits today.
American Black Bear, also know as Cocaine Bear, that overdosed on 40 kilos of cocaine in 1985, which had been dropped by smugglers in the Georgia wilderness. The story of Pablo Eskobear serves as inspiration for the 2023 movie "Cocaine Bear," except, in real life, the bear never harmed anyone. On September 11th, 1985, narcotics-officer-turned-drug-smuggler Andrew C. Thornton, II, and an accomplice dropped the cocaine from an autopiloted Cessna 404 because of too much weight. They then jumped from the plane, but Thornton got tangled in his parachute and fell to his death. On December 23, 1985, the body of the 175-pound black bear was discovered, along with 40 open plastic bags. Its body was taxidermized and given to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. It was purchased in a pawn shop by country singer Waylon Jennings, who gave it to a friend in Las Vegas. It then made its way to Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington, where it sits today.
Bio by: Tracy Rademacher
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