Aubrey McClendon, a founder and former chief executive of Chesapeake, died in a car crash yesterday at age 56, a day after he was charged with conspiring to rig bids for oil and natural gas leases.
McClendon crashed into an embankment while traveling at a “high rate of speed” in Oklahoma City yesterday morning, said Capt. Paco Balderrama of the Oklahoma City Police Department. McClendon’s vehicle was engulfed in flames he said.
“He pretty much drove straight into the wall,” Balderrama said.
McClendon — a key player in the US fracking boom — stepped down from the company in 2013. He then founded and served as chief executive at American Energy Partners.
“Aubrey’s tremendous leadership, vision, and passion for the energy industry had an impact on the community, the country, and the world. We are proud of his legacy and will continue to work hard to live up to the standards he set for excellence and integrity,” the company said in a statement.
Chesapeake said in a statement that it is “deeply saddened by the news” and its “thoughts and prayers are with the McClendon family during this difficult time.”
McClendon had denied the charges against him.