Former Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon, seen here in 2009, died in a car crash Wednesday in Oklahoma City, one day after he was indicted on federal antitrust charges alleging that the fracking pioneer rigged bids to keep drilling rights artificially low in Oklahoma.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Aubrey McClendon, the controversial former CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp., died Wednesday in a car crash in Oklahoma City, just one day after he was indicted for allegedly working with a competing company to keep drilling rights artificially low amid the nationwide boom in natural gas production.
Oklahoma City Police Department officials confirmed the death, which they said occurred in a one-vehicle crash at about 9 a.m. local time. Oklahoma City news reports cited police statements that the vehicle McClendon was driving hit a wall under a bridge at a speed of more than 40 miles per hour.
American Energy Partners, McClendon’s new company, issued a statement that confirmed his death.
“Aubrey’s tremendous leadership, vision, and passion for the energy industry had an impact on the community, the country, and the world. We are tremendously proud of his legacy and will continue to work hard to live up to the unmatched standards he set for excellence and integrity,” the statement said. “We will deeply mourn his loss and please join us in expressing our condolences to his family.”
On Tuesday, a federal grand jury had indicted the 56-year-old McClendon…
