Popcorn Sutton's death confirmed a suicide

Pam Sutton, wife of infamous moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, confirmed her husband's death by suicide, saying he was depressed about serving an 18-month prison term.

Mrs. Sutton said Popcorn died from carbon-monoxide poisoning. 

"We tried everything we could to leave him on house arrest," she told the Asheville Citizen-Times, "and they wouldn't do it. So I thank the federal court for this."

Mrs. Sutton said Popcorn was sick and depressed. She left the house to run errands Monday and when she returned, she found him behind the house in his beloved Ford Fairline, which she described as being "John Deere green" with yellow wheels. 

According to Popcorn's wishes, there will be no funeral, just a private burial.

Popcorn was featured in Neal Hutcheson's documentary, The Last One, which has run several times on UNC-TV channels.

Clarke Morrison has a great story in the Asheville paper. Read it here.