lawyer and close friend.

George Tobia Jr. insists he wasn't surprised to hear of the maverick

journalist's death on Feb. 20, although Thompson never mentioned his

plans during their regular telephone conversations.

Tobia spoke to the Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas author at least five times

a week, and for the last time on Saturday, just a day before his shot himself

in the mouth with his .45 caliber handgun at his secure ranch in Woody Creek,

Colorado.

He says, "This was definitely not spur of the moment. He arranged to have

things dealt with, and he wanted his family close by, but he didn't want anyone

to know--he didn't want anyone to try to stop him. In a weird way, he wanted

it to be, I think, a celebration."

Tobia says 67-year-old Thompson had discussed taking his own life with him

the past, and suggests severe pain caused by recent back surgery and an

artificial hip may have prompted his suicide.

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