Ohio farmer Terry Thompson spoke of troubles before freeing exotic animals

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

In this Oct. 19, 2011 file photo obtained by the Associated Press, carcasses lie on the ground at the Muskingum County Animal Farm in Zanesville, Ohio.

/ AP Photo, File

(CBS/AP) ZANESVILLE, Ohio. - A final police report on the release of dozens of exotic animals from an Ohio farm shows their suicidal owner had been distraught over the government's plan to confine him on house arrest following a gun conviction.

The Los Angeles Times reports the night before he released 56 exotic pets from their cages on his Ohio farm and shot himself in the head, Terry Thompson is said to have turned to the man who worked with him and said he "had a plan."

In records released by the Muskingum County Sheriff this week, Thompson's federal probation officer tells a detective about plans for an electronic device to monitor his whereabouts. He says Thompson went to a parole officer and told him he was overwhelmed by the condition his farm was in and reported marital problems.

Thompson was determined to "find out" about the things that were bothering him. This included questions about his marriage and how he would face his impending confinement over a criminal conviction, according to the police report.

"I have a plan to find out, and you will know it when it happens," Thompson reportedly told John Moore, a college student who worked six days a week at the Zanesville, Ohio, farm where the animals were kept.

The report doesn't say why Thompson decided to free the animals, but it gives the clearest picture to date of the events leading to the tragedy.

Authorities say Thompson had been home for a few weeks after a year in prison when he released the animals.

The final report includes the responding officers' findings the night they arrived at the farm to find the animals loose.

Police said that when they first saw Thompson lying on his back, they could not tell whether he was alive or dead. A handgun was about 15 feet from his body, and blue bolt cutters were nearby.

The roaming tigers and other exotic animals made it impossible to approach Thompson's body; the animals had to be killed so that officials could reach the body, deputies said in their report.

Officers killed 48 animals as they spread across the farm and surrounding community.

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by akc87031 January 19, 2012 8:40 PM EST: THESE ANIMALS WERE DECLAWED!! THIS MAN DIDN'T REALLY LOVE HIS ANIMALS. HE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THEM WITH HIM INSTEAD OF LETTING THEM GO FREE AND TO BE KILLED THE WAY THEY WERE! POOR THINGS NEVER GOT A CHANCE!! WHY COULDN'T THESE HUNTERS USE TRANQUILIZERS? DISGUSTING!! SOMEONE SHOULD LOSE THEIR JOB OVER THIS!!; Reply to this comment


by thewatcherone January 19, 2012 7:07 PM EST: The killing of all these animals is disgusting and shameful. It could of been very simple, post police and volunteers at the nearest roads that encircle the property, every so many yards. Being most if not all of the animals were killed right on that property or near it, that's proof most the animals weren't going anywhere anytime soon. No animals approached or attacked officers, so any claim of that is a lie. After the people net was completed and all the properties within that circle were notified to stay indoors, then it would of been a simple matter of getting about a dozen trained in tranquilizer guns to get there ASAP so come morning light they'd be ready, and go hunt them that way. If one did attack during this process or during the night waitinbg for light, then by all means, shoot to kill, but to do what this police force did, and have animal rights traitors like Jack Hanna say it's OK, is disgusting. One of the most shameful acts of this century here in the states. I bet most of those shooters just loved what fate brought them that day. Sick.; Reply to this comment


by thewatcherone January 19, 2012 7:07 PM EST: The killing of all these animals is disgusting and shameful. It could of been very simple, post police and volunteers at the nearest roads that encircle the property, every so many yards. Being most if not all of the animals were killed right on that property or near it, that's proof most the animals weren't going anywhere anytime soon. No animals approached or attacked officers, so any claim of that is a lie. After the people net was completed and all the properties within that circle were notified to stay indoors, then it would of been a simple matter of getting about a dozen trained in tranquilizer guns to get there ASAP so come morning light they'd be ready, and go hunt them that way. If one did attack during this process or during the night waitinbg for light, then by all means, shoot to kill, but to do what this police force did, and have animal rights traitors like Jack Hanna say it's OK, is disgusting. One of the most shameful acts of this century here in the states. I bet most of those shooters just loved what fate brought them that day. Sick.; Reply to this comment