Episode 230: The Life and Death of Drew Thornton and Cocaine Bear - Part 1

A wealthy man of power. A tempting and valuable but highly illegal product. An insatiable lust for thrills, money, and power. Along with a crew of southern gentlemen, they used their connections and cash to run the largest guns for drugs ring in the United States’ history. What happened next has inspired one of the most exciting monster movies of 2023. This week’s episode is The Life and Death of Drew Thornton and Cocaine Bear - Part 1

SOURCES

‘Cocaine Bear,’ a drug smuggler and the very real story behind it all, The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2023/02/24/cocaine-bear-story-andrew-thornton/

‘Shakespearean twist.’ Key members of ‘Bluegrass Conspiracy’ died within days of each other, Kentucky Herald Leader:  https://www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article241496226.html#storylink=cpy

A look back: The true Ky. story behind the ‘Cocaine Bear’ movie, WKYT: https://www.wkyt.com/2023/02/20/look-back-true-ky-story-behind-cocaine-bear-movie/

A skydiving smuggler wearing combat fatigues and packing pistols,…, UPI: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/09/11/A-skydiving-smuggler-wearing-combat-fatigues-and-packing-pistols/5768495259200/

Blow: The True Story of Cocaine, a Bear and a Crooked Kentucky Cop [FULL DOCUMENTARY], WAVE News Louisville: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsxSFPVQkRo

Cocaine killed parachutist, Fort Worth Star-Telegram (December 12, 1985), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Decision delayed in evidence hearing, The Madisonville Messenger (February 10, 1988), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Drew Thornton's Last Adventure, The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1985/10/20/drew-thorntons-last-adventure/982df601-7c8c-4955-a09c-b6d1f3b0a426/?itid=lk_inline_manual_17

Drug Probe Strings Together A Tangled Web of Intrigue, The Charlotte Observer (October 14, 1985), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Ex-policeman carrying $14 million in cocaine killed in plane jump, Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer (September 12, 1985), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Ex-policeman is arrested in N. Carolina, Lexington Herald-Leader (January 31, 1982), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Full Text of “Andrew Carter Thornton III”, FBI Archive: https://archive.org/stream/AndrewCarterThorntonII/1347377-0_-_File_1-Section_1_djvu.txt

History vs. Hollywood: Cocaine Bear, History Versus Hollywood: https://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/cocaine-bear/

Kentucky man claims he was air companion to ill-fated parachutist, Johnson City Press (March 19, 1990), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Lawyer gets 6-month term in drug case, The Louisville Courier-Journal (June 3, 1982), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Lexington woman faces trial in cocaine-parachutist case, The Danville Advocate Messenger (February 8, 1988), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Medical Examiner Says Bear Did Not Consume All of Missing Cocaine, Associated Press: https://apnews.com/article/20b0a66fbc59ef243a2e910fb725b9aa

Puzzle of chutist’s death unsolved, Johnson City Press (January 2, 1986), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Rebecca Sharp drug prosecution to be dropped, The Louisville Courier-Journal (February 10, 1988), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Statements ruled out in parachutist case, Johnson City Press (February 14, 1988), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

The Bluegrass Conspiracy: An Inside Story of Power, Greed, Drugs & Murder by Sally Denton: https://www.amazon.com/Bluegrass-Conspiracy-Inside-Story-Murder/dp/152382462X

Thornton free after spending 5 months in jail, The Lexington Herald (November 17, 1982), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Thornton’s beneficiaries include political, legal figures, The Courier-Journal (October 19, 1985), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Thornton's past included police work, drug charges, Lexington Herald Leader (September 12, 1985), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Two accused of plot to smuggle cocaine, The Atlanta Constitution (November 10, 1987), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Uniquely Kentucky dives into 'The Bluegrass Conspiracy' with Sally Denton, WKYT: https://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Uniquely-Kentucky-dives-into-The-Bluegrass-Conspiracy-with-Sally-Denton-512923671.html

Yes, ‘Cocaine Bear’ Was Real. Here’s the Back Story, The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/01/arts/cocaine-bear-true-story.html