T’s World: The Over-identification of Terry Thompson

Abstract

T's World: The Overidentification of Terry Thompson is an experimental documentary that unpacks events surrounding the 2011 animal release and subsequent suicide of Terry Thompson in Zanesville Ohio, USA. Over the course of 15 years Terry Thompson collected tigers, lions, bears, wolves, and other dangerous animals accumulating a menagerie of 60 or so creatures on his private ranch. The menagerie was not open to the public and was not visible from the road, therefore according to the laws at that time in Ohio, the law enforcement authorities had no right to inspect or otherwise cast an eye upon Mr.Thompson's private collection. Over the course of several years an adversarial relationship developed between Thompson and the local Police culminating in Thompson's arrest and imprisonment for one year and a day on weapons charges. When he returned from prison Terry Thompson found his animals in disarray and his personal life broken. On the evening of October 11 2011,Terry Thompson cut open the cages of his animals and made holes in the fences surrounding his 90 acre property. He laced his body with chicken parts and shot himself in the head. The sheriff was alerted to the animal release by a woman who had seen a lion bounding near the highway. With two hours until nightfall, and without any means to control the animals the sheriff ordered his deputies to kill all of the animals. The subsequent hunt lasted for 24 hours.