For many years, the murder of car racing champion Mickey Thompson remained a mystery. Mickey and his wife were shot dead in the driveway of their California home in 1988.
For more than a decade after, the perpetrators continued to elude law enforcement until the arrest of his former business partner reignited hopes of finding justice.
The Facts Behind the Mickey and Trudy Thompson Death
It was 6 am on March 16, 1988, when Mickey and Trudy Thompson set out for work. They had just left their Bradbury, California home and were about to exit their gated compound when they were stopped by two gunmen, according to eyewitness reports.
Neighbors testified to hearing screams and gunfire before the two men ran away on two bicycles.
A Witness Gives Details
According to court records, a witness described what they saw during the incident. The witness saw through their home window Mickey standing at the top of his driveway close to his garage door with an assailant pointing a gun at him.
Mickey’s minivan was in the driveway with its doors open. Trudy, on the other hand, was on her knees at the bottom of the driveway with another gunman.
Assassination or Robbery?
The eyewitness also heard Mickey Thompson pleading for his wife to be spared. Obviously, his pleas fell on deaf ears as one of the attackers shot his wife soon afterward before shooting Mickey Thompson.
Neighbors couldn’t exactly agree on whether the attack was a robbery gone wrong or an assassination. However, the Los Angeles Police declared it an assassination after finding the couple’s jewelry and cash intact.
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Who Was Mickey Thompson?
Mickey was born in 1928 in Alhambra, California. During his teenage years, he developed an interest in cars and even built some by hand from his home. He took his love for vehicles to the next level by starting a racing career.
Later, he had a brief stint as a journalist before starting a car parts manufacturing company and then Mickey Thompson Tires.
Mickey Thompson’s Racing Career
Mickey Thompson had an enviable racing career that saw him break major records and win prestigious awards. On September 9, 1960, he exceeded 400 miles per hour and attained the feat of fastest man in America.
He attained this speed, which was the muzzle velocity of a bullet, by driving the Challenger I on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats. He later broke this record by driving more than 150 miles per hour.
More Accolades
During his amazing career, Mickey Thompson set about 500 speed records. Before he retired, he reached the milestone speed of 400 miles per hour in a car that was powered by a piston engine. He, therefore, earned the nickname “Speed King.”
During his great career, Mickey was known for saying, “Stand on the gas.” He also became a successful racing promoter.
Mickey Thompson’s Family Life
Mickey Thompson married Judy Creach in 1971. Through her, he had his children, Lindy and Danny. However, the union didn’t last long.
He later married Trudy Feller, who was, at the time, a secretary at a news house known as Hot Rod Magazine. Danny described his father as a “great dad” and vowed to continue in his legacies.
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How Old Was Mickey Thompson When He Died?
Mickey Thompson died at the age of 59, while his wife was 41. Two years after his death, he received posthumous induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame America.
More than 20 years after his death, he got another post-humous award from the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2009. His death was a shock to many and a puzzle for law enforcement.
Investigation Into Mickey Thompson’s Death
In spite of best efforts by the Los Angeles Police to trace his killers, his murder remained unsolved for more than a decade. However, his family members and friends had one major suspect in mind – Michael Goodwin.
Michael Goodwin was Mickey’s business partner in 1984 before they fell out after a few months. This dispute led to a lawsuit, which resulted in Goodwin paying Mickey $514,000 in damages.
Bad Blood
After the settlement, Goodwin’s racing promotion business crashed into bankruptcy while Mickey’s continued to flourish. People close to Goodwin testified about him threatening to assassinate Mickey.
“I’m going to take you out,” Goodwin reportedly said to Mickey while on the phone with him. Two witnesses also testified of seeing Goodwin and another man spying on Mickey’s home in a car parked in the neighborhood days before the murders.
Goodwin’s Arrest and Prosecution
Police arrested Goodwin in 2001. In 2007, after a trial that lasted 6 weeks, a jury convicted Goodwin for the murders. Goodwin is still serving two consecutive life sentences without parole.
Meanwhile, Danny Thompson has expressed satisfaction that justice has been served. He has taken in his father’s footsteps and built a successful racing career, even beating a number of his father’s records in the process. Mickey Thompson, wherever he is, would definitely have a lot to smile about.
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