9 replies to this topic

[Jack-the-Lad]

Peter Gregg died on December 15, 1980, age 40. It was a suicide. Has the reason he took his own life ever been determined? Some speculate it was the double vision resulting from a road accident, and preventing him from racing. Others say it was problems in his personal life. Does anyone know for sure?

Jack

[T54]

He had been married for 9 days to Debra when he walked to the beach and shot himself. Hard to tell which of the several reasons for doing himself in.

[RA Historian]

I seem to recall reading that Gregg was a manic-depressive with major mood swings and that he was in one of his major down moods when he did himself in.

[doc knutsen]

Originally posted by RA Historian
I seem to recall reading that Gregg was a manic-depressive with major mood swings and that he was in one of his major down moods when he did himself in.

If he did suffer a bipolar condition (as in manic-depressive) then that would be the explaination.
In many cases, the mood changes can be frighteningly abrupt, and suicide while in the deeply depressed state are, sadly, fairly common. The disease is treatable with several of the modern mood stabilizers, but 26 years ago litium, with its many side effects, was the only option.
Psychiatric disease is still fatal in some cases, despite advances in treatment over the last few decades.

[HistoricMustang]

Mr. Gregg is certainly not going anywhere.

Henry



http://en.wikipedia..../Peter_H._Gregg

In my discussions with several drivers from the era, Peter also suffered pain from a racing accident. He had a lot going on in his life.

[Tim Murray]

More about Peter Gregg in this earlier thread.

[Jack-the-Lad]

Thanks for the link, Tim. I guess I haven't mastered the search function yet.

Twinny's comments in that thread tend to confirm my suspicions about Gregg and his suicide....

Jack

[Andretti Fan]

The comments in the other thread about the "other driver" were a big shock to me. Has the name of the supposed other driver ever been made public? ( I realize this might be a topic better suited to a pm, and not put in a public forumn)......(hint hint..... hahaha)

[HDonaldCapps]

Always good to see that the National Enquirer sub-forum of TNF is alive and well....

[Roland44]

I seem to remember that Car & Driver ran a very well-researched (and poignant) piece on his suicide in their "Sport" section some years ago...can't remember when it ran, though. Maybe someone here can find it and post it here. He died of a gunshot wound to the head alone on a bleak, desolate beach....no one should have to go out that way.