Cocaine Bear: The unlikely true story of the animal that ate a duffel bag of drugs
“Investigators searching for cocaine dropped by an airborne smuggler have found a ripped-up shipment of the sweet-smelling powder and the remains of a bear that apparently died of a multimillion-dollar high.”
So began the Associated Press news agency’s 23 December 1985 report on one of the most bizarre drug-trafficking stories in history.
The 175lb black bear’s body was discovered in the mountains of the Chattahoochee National Forest, about 80 miles north of Atlanta, Georgia, and just south of the Tennessee border, near to a duffel bag and 40 packages of the drug that had been ripped open and scattered over a hillside.
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Redemption for real cocaine bear
The cocaine had fallen from the skies three months earlier courtesy of former narcotics investigator and army paratrooper turned drug smuggler Andrew Thornton; he had intended to parachute down from a small plane over Knoxville, Tennessee, but ended up falling to his death.
Wearing night vision goggles and a bulletproof vest, and carrying guns and knives, according to reports from the time, his body was found in a neighbourhood driveway. His unmanned Cessna airplane crashed into a mountain in North Carolina about an hour later.
The true story of “Pablo Escobear” now forms the basis for the start of new gore-comedy Cocaine Bear, directed by actress and filmmaker Elizabeth Banks. It is not for the faint-hearted: there’s blood and guts and very grisly ends (pun intended), and a bear snorting cocaine wherever it can get it, including severed limbs.
Banks, star of films including the Pitch Perfect and Hunger Games series, tells Sky News she went “fully down the internet rabbit hole” when she first heard the story.
“We also were able to get the police reports from when Andrew’s body was found and we use a lot of information from various sources and put it into the movie,” she says. “Everything that Andrew Thornton is wearing when his body is found on the ground, from his Gucci loafers to his bullet-proof vest, that was all written down in the police report.”
Banks received the script in April 2020, just as the world had gone into lockdown. “We were getting into this global pandemic and I felt chaos all around me and trauma everywhere. I read this script and thought, well, there’s no greater metaphor for chaos than a bear that’s high on cocaine.”
What really happened to Cocaine Bear?
Pic: Universal Studios
An official from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation told the Associated Press at the time that Thornton fell and died as he was carrying too heavy a load while parachuting.
Before they found the bear’s body, investigators had located packages of cocaine in identical duffel bags at two other locations.
Officials said the animal, which had been dead for about four weeks by the time it was discovered, ended up eating several million dollars’ worth of the drug and that its stomach was “packed to the brim”. Each of the 40 packages was believed to have contained one kilogram, and was valued at as much as $20m (£16.7m) at the time.
In Cocaine Bear, the bear’s drug-taking leads to a gory killing spree, rather than its own death; the film takes in Thornton’s jump in the first few minutes, but the vast majority of the screentime is dedicated to what might have happened had the animal survived.
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Despite the film’s comedy, the true story is tragic. Banks says her first reaction when she heard the real story was “a lot of sympathy” for the bear. “And I thought, wow, this script is actually an incredible redemption story for that bear, who was collateral damage in this crazy war on drugs.”
In real life, “Pablo Escobear” has now gained something of a cult status in certain areas in the US – and inevitably wider now following the release of the film. The animal’s body was preserved and is now on display at the Kentucky For Kentucky memorabilia and tourist store. (Thornton was from Kentucky).
“A bear dying of a drug overdose is really sad,” says writer Jimmy Warden. “This [film] was about redressing or rewriting the story for the bear, who was really the victim in this entire thing. But my objective was always just to create something that was fun. And I think that the movie definitely does it very well.”
Ray Liotta’s final performance
L-R: O’Shea Jackson Jr, Alden Ehrenreich, Ayoola Smart and Ray Liotta. Pic: Universal Studios
Cocaine Bear stars Keri Russell, O’Shea Jackson Jr, Isiah Whitlock Jr, Alden Ehrenreich, Margo Martindale and Ray Liotta, in his final film performance before his death in 2022. He plays drug kingpin Syd, who is trying to retrieve Thornton’s stash with the help of his son Eddie (Ehrenreich) and fixer Daveed (Jackson Jr).
“There’s always so much vulnerability and sweetness and heart in all of his performances, even when he’s playing these extremely menacing characters,” says Ehrenreich, known for films including Hail, Caesar! and Solo: A Star Wars Story. “That really bore itself out with him personally, he was just this very sweet man and having a lot of fun.”
“Ray is a legend in the industry,” says Jackson Jr (Just Mercy, Straight Outta Compton). “As a performer, it’s a bucket-list thing to work with greats, and to be able to work with him on one of his final projects is an honour and a blessing that I think we all will cherish.”
‘Their sphincter sucks up in their seat…’
Banks pictured on set. Pic: Universal Studios
Liotta’s drug lord is one of a motley crew of unfortunate people who find themselves roaming the national park, from tourists and a mother looking for her daughter, to police officers and park wardens.
Banks says there is a relatability to all the characters. “You know, the characters aren’t high on cocaine. They’re just trying to get through their day. And I loved that idea of telling this underdog story, with the big hook of the rampaging bear.”
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Ah, but this isn’t entirely true. We see two curious children trying it out. Did Banks think this was controversial? “The movie’s called Cocaine Bear,” she says. “It’s a big, bold, audacious idea. And so we didn’t shy away from big, bold choices.
“I think they’re actually appropriately aged to be curious about those sorts of things. I remember I was a 12 year old girl in 1985 and I skipped school. I actually don’t think… I think they spit it all out, I don’t think they’re very high on cocaine. And if they are, it’s the only way that…” We’ll leave it there; no spoilers here.
Ultimately, Banks says she wanted to make a fun film. “I really enjoyed the power that directing this kind of visceral, tense, exciting, funny movie allowed me to have with the audience. I know because I’ve seen it with people that they have to look away, you know, their sphincter sucks up in their seat. They’re a little ill. It’s an incredible sense of power that I get to take the audience on this journey, on this ride. I’m very much enjoying it.”
Cocaine Bear is out in cinemas now
The Salt Path author Raynor Winn’s fourth book has been delayed by her publisher.
It comes amid claims that the author lied about her story in her hit first book. Winn previously described the claims as “highly misleading” and called suggestions that her husband had Moth made up his illness “utterly vile”.
In a statement, Penguin Michael Joseph, said it had delayed the publication of Winn’s latest book On Winter Hill – which had been set for release 23 October.
The publisher said the decision had been made in light of “recent events, in particular intrusive conjecture around Moth’s health”, which it said had caused “considerable distress” to the author and her family.
“It is our priority to support the author at this time,” the publisher said.
“With this in mind, Penguin Michael Joseph, together with the author, has made the decision to delay the publication of On Winter Hill from this October.”
A new release date will be announced in due course, the publisher added.
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Winn’s first book, released in 2018, detailed the journey she and husband took along the South West Coast Path – familiarly known as The Salt Path – after they lost their family farm and Moth received a terminal health diagnosis of Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD).
But a report in The Observer disputed key aspects of the 2018 “true” story – which was recently turned into a film starring Jason Isaacs and Gillian Anderson.
Raynor and husband Moth (centre) with actors Jason Isaacs (L) and Gillian Anderson (R). Pic: Steve Tanner/Black Bear
Experts ‘sceptical of health claims’
As part of the article, published last weekend, The Observer claimed to have spoken to experts who were “sceptical” about elements of Moth’s terminal diagnosis, such as a “lack of acute symptoms and his apparent ability to reverse them”.
In the ensuing controversy, PSPA, a charity that supports people with CBD, cut ties with the couple.
The Observer article also claimed the portrayal of a failed investment in a friend’s business wasn’t true, but said the couple – whose names are Sally and Tim Walker – lost their home after Raynor Winn embezzled money from her employer and had to borrow to pay it back and avoid police action.
Anderson played Winn in a movie about the couple’s journey. Pic: Steve Tanner/Black Bear
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It also said that, rather than being homeless, the couple had owned a house in France since 2007.
Winn’s statement said the dispute with her employer wasn’t the reason the couple lost their home – but admitted she may have made “mistakes” while in the job.
“For me it was a pressured time,” she wrote. “It was also a time when mistakes were being made in the business. Any mistakes I made during the years in that office, I deeply regret, and I am truly sorry.”
She admitted being questioned by police but said she wasn’t charged.
The author also said accusations that Moth lied about having CBD/CBS were false and had “emotionally devastated” him.
“I have charted Moth’s condition with such a level of honesty, that this is the most unbearable of the allegations,” Winn wrote on her website.
The first fan started queuing before 8am.
Heaton Park, just north of Manchester City centre, is tonight hosting 80,000 fans who’ve come to see the Gallaghers’ homecoming.
“I would honestly say it’s a real cultural moment of the 21st century,” says Sam, who’s from Manchester and has come here with a group of friends – including one who has travelled from Australia for the gig.
Oasis fans wear band T-shirts with the almost obligatory bucket hats. Pic: Reuters
This will be the fourth time Sam has seen Oasis play, although obviously not for many years, and he says he can’t wait for the moment the band comes on to the stage.
“The reaction from the fans, that’s going to be really special,” he says. “This band means so much to the North West.”
Like many people attending tonight’s concert, Sam is wearing a bucket hat.
Liam Gallagher’s iconic headgear has become a part of the band’s cultural legacy and they are certainly on display here, with street vendors popping up all around the park’s perimeter.
Another fan, Dean, tells me he feels incredibly lucky to have got a ticket at all.
“I had seven devices out when the tickets were released and I didn’t get one,” he says. “And then about three days ago, a friend of mine messaged to say she couldn’t make it.
“So I made it. £120 with coach travel there and back – perfect.”
Dom has flown from half a world away to be in Manchester tonight
Dom is another fan who has come from Australia for the gig.
“We’re frothing to be here, like so stoked,” he says, “The atmosphere is going to be electric.”
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One young couple are here on their honeymoon. From Italy, they met at a Liam Gallagher concert several years ago.
“It’s where we fell in love,” Claudia says. “And we got married last month so we wanted to be here to celebrate.”
Amanda, from Manchester, is also here with a loved one – well, sort of.
Amanda has found a way to make sure her son, who lives in Australia, is there in spirit
She’s wearing a paper cut-out mask of her 30-year-old son Harry’s face.
“He’s in Melbourne and got a ticket but then couldn’t come,” Amanda explains.
“And so Harry doesn’t feel left out,” she says pulling the mask down over her face, “we’ve brought him with us!”
Entertainment
Chris Brown: R&B singer denies further charges following alleged bottle attack in London club
R&B singer Chris Brown has denied further charges following an alleged bottle attack in a London nightclub.
The 36-year-old pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) to music producer Abraham Diaw, during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Friday.
Brown also denied one count of having an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place.
Chris Brown arriving at Southwark Crown Court on Friday. Pic: PA
The Grammy-winning US musician last month pleaded not guilty to a more serious charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent to Mr Diaw.
The attack allegedly happened at the Tape venue, a private members’ club in Hanover Square, Mayfair, on 19 February 2023.
The plea hearing is part of preparations for his five to seven-day trial, which is due to take place from 26 October 2026.
Brown’s co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, 39, on Friday pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting Mr Diaw occasioning him actual bodily harm.
Akinlolu, a rapper who goes by the name Hoody Baby, has previously pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.
Brown’s co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu arrives at court. Pic: Reuters
The defendants sat side-by-side in the dock, looking straight ahead during the hearing in London.
Around 20 fans sat in the public gallery behind the dock for Friday’s hearing, with several gasping as Brown walked into the courtroom.
The Go Crazy singer was able to continue with his scheduled international tour after he was freed on conditional bail in May.
He had to pay a £5m security fee to the court as part of the bail agreement, which is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions.
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Mr Diaw was standing at the bar of the Tape nightclub when he was struck several times with a bottle, and then pursued to a separate area of the venue where he was punched and kicked repeatedly, Manchester Magistrates’ Court previously heard.
Brown was arrested at Manchester’s Lowry Hotel at 2am on 15 May by detectives from the Metropolitan Police.
He is said to have flown into Manchester Airport on a private jet in preparation for the UK tour dates.
Brown was released from HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, on 21 May.
The singer, who rose to stardom as a teenager in 2005, won his first Grammy award for best R&B album in 2011 for F.A.M.E..
He earned his second in the same category for 11:11 (Deluxe) earlier this year.
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