Michael Hastings conspiracy theory claims journalist’s car was hacked by CIA causing a deadly crash as he investigated a mystery ‘big story’
War veteran and investigative reporter died when his car smashed into a tree
A CONSPIRACY theory suggesting the CIA may have hacked and crashed an American journalist's car is gaining traction online.
Investigative reporter and war veteran Michael Hastings, 33, died in 2013 when his Mercedes C250 coupe smashed into a tree in Los Angeles.
He was thought to be on the verge of a huge scoop that may have threatened the secretive intelligence agency.
It has now been revealed that the CIA explored the possibility of hacking into vehicles to carry out "remote assassinations", according to a huge data breach published by Wikileaks.
Some have since suggested that this covert action developed by the agency's Cyber Intelligence Centre may have been used to silence Hastings.
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It adds to earlier claims that US spooks were behind Hastings' death.
A former counter-terrorism advisor to President Reagan told the Huffington Post in 2013 that it was possible government forces killed Hastings.
Richard Clarke claimed that "the single-vehicle crash is 'consistent with a car cyber attack.'"
But others have slammed the theory, including his own family.
Hastings’ wife Elise told CNN: "My gut here is that it was just a really tragic accident."
And his brother John suggested he was suffering a "manic episode".
Toxicology reports found traces of prescription marijuana and crystal meth in his system — but a coroner ruled these were not a factor in the crash.
Reports also said Hastings had bipolar disorder and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after his time in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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