We can't take this story as literal fact because it was broken by the Globe tabloid, but an FBI agent claims he has evidence Sonny Bono did not die in a pathetic little skiing accident.

Ted Gunderson, now a private investigator, told the gossip rag that

"It's nonsense for anyone to now try to suggest that Bono died after crashing into a tree. There's zero evidence in this autopsy report... to show such an accident happened. Instead, there's powerful proof he was assassinated."

One month before his death on a Nevada slope, Congressman Bono was approached by another FBI agent named Bob Fletcher about government officials involved in smuggling and arms dealing. Basing his opinions on autopsy photos, Gunderson concludes that Bono was beaten to death by several individuals, probably using blunt objects, and then placed near a tree to be found by authorities.

It's possible that both the arms story and the Bono assassination theory are little more than conspiracy theory nuttiness. Nonetheless, it sounds like Gunderson's story warrants further investigation:

"(Bono) was going to make [the allegations] his No.1 priority... There's no doubt in my mind Sonny was murdered by someone who needed him silenced," Mr. Fletcher told the paper.