10 Shocking Facts About The Cocaine Bear True Story (The Real 'Creasy Bear')

The true story behind the viral sensation known as 'Cocaine Bear'—sometimes misremembered as 'Creasy Bear'—is far less comedic and significantly more tragic than the blockbuster movie suggests. As of late December 2025, the tale of the 175-pound American black bear that ingested a massive amount of pure cocaine in the Georgia wilderness remains one of the most bizarre incidents in modern crime history. The real-life event, which occurred in 1985, was a grim footnote to a much larger drug-smuggling operation, and the bear's fate was not a crazed rampage but a quick, fatal overdose.

This article dives deep into the actual facts, separating Hollywood fiction from the dark reality. The story is a complex web involving a parachute-jumping former narcotics officer, a massive drug ring known as "The Company," and the unfortunate animal that became an accidental casualty. The bear's journey didn't end in the forest; its taxidermied body became a bizarre tourist attraction, cementing its place in pop culture history.

The Tragic Life and Death of Andrew Carter Thornton II

The entire "Cocaine Bear" incident is inextricably linked to the man who dropped the drugs: Andrew Carter Thornton II. Understanding his profile is essential to grasping the full scope of the 1985 catastrophe.

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• Full Name: Andrew Carter Thornton II
• Born: October 30, 1944, Bourbon County, Kentucky
• Died: September 11, 1985, Knoxville, Tennessee
• Early Career: Thornton was a decorated paratrooper in the U.S. Army, a law school graduate, and, most notably, a police officer in Lexington, Kentucky. He even served in the Lexington-Fayette County Narcotics Squad.
• Criminal Turn: Despite his background in law enforcement, Thornton became the kingpin of a massive drug-smuggling operation known as "The Company" or "The Bluegrass Conspiracy."
• The Final Flight: On September 11, 1985, Thornton was on a smuggling run from Colombia. He realized his plane was overloaded with approximately 200 pounds of cocaine.
• Cause of Death: Thornton attempted to parachute from the plane over Georgia. Tragically, his parachute failed to open properly, and he fell to his death in a driveway in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was found wearing night-vision goggles, a bulletproof vest, and carrying keys, cash, and a duffel bag containing 75 pounds of cocaine.

Thornton’s death was the initial break in the case, leading investigators to the Chattahoochee National Forest where the rest of the dropped cargo—and the unfortunate bear—was eventually discovered. His fall literally rained cocaine over the state of Georgia.

The Real 'Cocaine Bear' Incident: Fact vs. Fiction

The 2023 movie, directed by Elizabeth Banks, took significant creative liberties with the story, turning a sad animal death into a horror-comedy rampage. The true events of the fall of 1985 were far less dramatic for humans, but devastating for the animal involved.

1. The Discovery and Location

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In December 1985, a hunter in Fannin County, Georgia, deep within the Chattahoochee National Forest, discovered the body of a black bear. The bear was found near a duffel bag that had been opened and contained remnants of cocaine wrappers.

2. The Bear’s Size and Identity

The animal was an American black bear, weighing approximately 175 to 200 pounds. Unlike the movie's fictionalized monster, this was a typical, albeit large, male bear. The bear was later nicknamed "Pablo EskoBear" in a nod to the drug world.

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3. The Fatal Dose

The medical examiner who performed the necropsy, Dr. Kenneth Alonso, determined the cause of death was a massive cocaine overdose. He estimated the bear had ingested several pounds of the drug, which was valued at around $2 million at the time. The bear's stomach was packed with the white powder.

4. No Rampage, Just Tragedy

The most shocking contrast to the film is the bear's behavior. The real "Cocaine Bear" did not go on a cocaine-fueled killing spree, attacking hikers, paramedics, or children. According to Dr. Alonso, the overdose was so severe that the bear likely died within minutes of ingesting the drug. It was a rapid, tragic, and non-violent death.

5. The Drug’s Purity

The cocaine ingested by the bear was likely of very high purity, having been dropped directly from a smuggling plane. This incredibly potent dose contributed to the immediate and fatal physiological reaction. The bear suffered from cerebral hemorrhaging, respiratory failure, and hyperthermia.

From Forest Floor to Fun Mall: The Strange Afterlife of Pablo EskoBear

The story of the bear did not end with its death in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Its body embarked on a bizarre, decades-long journey that ultimately turned it into a celebrity artifact.

6. The Taxidermy Process

Following the necropsy, the bear's body was sent to a taxidermist. The stuffed remains were initially kept by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) as evidence in the drug case against Thornton's associates.

7. A Traveling Exhibit

Over the years, the taxidermied bear was passed around. It spent time in a pawn shop, was allegedly purchased by country music star Waylon Jennings, and eventually disappeared for a period. Its whereabouts became a minor legend.

8. The Bear’s Final Home: Kentucky

In a twist of fate that connects the bear back to its smuggler's home state, the taxidermy was eventually tracked down in 2015 by the Kentucky for Kentucky organization. They acquired the bear and put it on display at the Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington, Kentucky.

9. The Nickname: Pablo EskoBear

The bear is now famously and affectionately known as "Pablo EskoBear," a morbidly humorous moniker that has become synonymous with the true story. Visitors flock to the Fun Mall to see the legendary beast, which has a name tag detailing its tragic end.

10. The Enduring Legacy and Topical Authority

The story of the Cocaine Bear has become a powerful cautionary tale and a cultural phenomenon. It highlights the real-world consequences of the 1980s drug trade, specifically the era of "cocaine cowboys." The bear, along with the story of Andrew Thornton and "The Company," serves as a dark, humorous, and enduring reminder of a chaotic period in American history, giving the taxidermy a unique topical authority that transcends a simple museum exhibit. The renewed interest following the Universal Pictures film ensures this bizarre piece of history remains relevant today.

The real 'Creasy Bear'—the Cocaine Bear—was a victim, not a villain. While Hollywood sensationalized the events for entertainment, the underlying facts remain a grim and fascinating piece of the past, forever linking a black bear, a former police officer, and 75 pounds of pure cocaine in a tale that is truly stranger than fiction.