I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Evan Wright, a brilliant journalist and storyteller whose work resonated with me on a personal level. As someone who has also experienced the trauma of being in a “scared straight” program as a teenager, his recent posts about Teen Torture, Inc. and the kinship he felt with other survivors struck a chord with me.
Award-winning reporter and author Evan Wright, who was known for immersion journalism on American subcultures and writing the book Generation Kill, which he helped adapt into the HBO miniseries of the same name, died by suicide last week. Wright was 59.
Based on the report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Wright took his own life on July 12 through a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at a local residence.
In the final weeks of his life, Wright actively publicized the upcoming documentary “Teen Torture, Inc.” on X.com. This film features interviews with Wright and other survivors of “The Seed,” a controversial South Florida program designed to help at-risk teenagers. In recent posts on X.com, Wright shared his experiences in this program and the bond he shares with other former participants. Many similar programs have been closed down or scrutinized as researchers begin to understand the long-term harm caused by the extreme treatment inflicted upon those attending these facilities.
Every time I hear survivors of these programs share their stories, I can’t help but identify with them. I feel a strong connection to anyone who has gone through similar experiences. Upon watching Paris Hilton’s testimony, I was taken aback, realizing that she too is part of this large, complex family of affected individuals.
Every time I come across individuals who have experienced similar programs sharing their stories, I cannot help but identify with them, feeling as if they are part of my own family. Upon hearing Paris Hilton’s testimony, I was taken aback, thinking, “She’s one of us, too?” It is an unfortunate yet large community we belong to.
— Evan Wright (@evanscribe) July 11, 2024
I was deeply moved by Evan Wright’s account of his experiences with the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq and Afghanistan, as detailed in his 2004 memoir “Generation Kill.” His reporting for Rolling Stone magazine earned him a National Magazine Award that very year. In “The Killer Elite,” we follow the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Bravo Company, a group of elite professionals who dealt in the most extreme form of American export: violence, at the peak of the U.S. invasion during the Bush Administration’s so-called “war on terror.”
“Evan was an exceptional journalist and storyteller who significantly contributed to the creation of ‘Generation Kill.’ David Simon, the showrunner for this series and ‘The Wire,’ expressed his grief over Evan’s passing through social media. He described Evan as charismatic, humorous, and possessing a wild spirit, which is common among reporters. There are numerous memories of working with him in Baltimore and Africa that will be fondly remembered.”
During his professional journey, Wright penned down four additional books: “Hella Nation: In Search of Happy Meals in Kandahar, Rocking the Side Pipe, Wingnut’s War Against the GAP, and Other Explorations of America’s Misfit Cultures” (2009), which is a compilation of articles he wrote for “Rolling Stone” and “Vanity Fair” on various subcultures; “American Desperado: A Memoir – From Mafia Soldier to Cocaine Cowboy to Secret Government Asset” (co-authored with Jon Roberts, 2011), which recounts Roberts’ life as the alleged “transportation chief” of the Medellin cartel; and “How to Get Away with Murder in America: The Real Story of a CIA Agent, a Drug Kingpin, and Three Decades of Covert Operations” (2012), an account of the CIA agent at the heart of a major FBI probe.
Born in Cleveland and brought up in Willoughby, Ohio by lawyer parents, Wright faced expulsion from Hawken School for selling marijuana. Subsequently, he was sent to The Seedy institution, enduring mistreatment at the hands of its uncertified staff. Later, he pursued higher education at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and Vassar College in New York, earning a degree in Medieval History.
As a journalist, he started his professional journey by interviewing renowned South African figure Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who was also a Zulu prince. Later, he worked as an entertainment editor and assessed adult content for the magazine “Hustler.” Subsequently, Wright delved into crafting comprehensive articles on debatable figures and subjects for reputable national publications. The New York Times commended his work for its intricate and fact-based approach, complemented by a touch of dark humor.
Wright is survived by his wife, Kelli, and his three children.
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2024-07-16 00:25