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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Outlaw

Johnny Ringo

Johnny Ringo, born John Peters Ringo, was an American Old West outlaw associated with the Cochise County Cowboys in Tombstone, Arizona Territory.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Johnny Ringo was an American Old West outlaw and gunfighter, best known for his association with the Cochise County Cowboys in Tombstone, Arizona Territory. His mysterious death in 1882 remains a subject of debate.

Who he was

Born John Peters Ringo in Indiana in 1850, Ringo became a notorious figure in the frontier violence of the American West. He was linked to the Cochise County Cowboys, a loose group of outlaws involved in the Tombstone conflict era.

How he died

Ringo was found dead in Turkey Creek Canyon in July 1882 with a gunshot wound to the head. A coroner's inquest officially ruled the death a suicide, though alternative theories have suggested murder, including by Wyatt Earp or Doc Holliday.

Why he matters

Ringo became a lasting figure in Western folklore and popular culture, where his life and death are often portrayed as mysterious. He is buried near the site of his death on private property near Pearce, Arizona.

In short

  • Johnny Ringo was a real Old West outlaw and gunfighter.
  • He was associated with the Cochise County Cowboys in Arizona Territory.
  • His death in 1882 was officially ruled a suicide, but murder theories persist.
  • He remains a prominent figure in Western folklore.

Quick questions

Who was Johnny Ringo?
Johnny Ringo was the alias of John Peters Ringo, an American Old West outlaw and gunfighter associated with the Cochise County Cowboys in Arizona Territory.
How did Johnny Ringo die?
He was found dead in July 1882 with a gunshot wound to the head. A coroner's inquest officially ruled the death a suicide.
Did Doc Holliday kill Johnny Ringo?
There is no established historical proof that Doc Holliday killed him. The official ruling was suicide, although some later accounts have suggested murder.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Ringo
    Supports: Birth name, dates, association with the Cochise County Cowboys, official suicide ruling, and resting place.
  2. National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/a-gunslinger-s-tale-johnny-ringo.htm
    Supports: Body discovery in Turkey Creek Canyon, official verdict of suicide, and historical context.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johnny-Ringo
    Supports: Biographical overview, death date, and discussion of alternative theories.
  4. Texas State Historical Association — https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/ringo-john-peters
    Supports: Birth details, outlaw background, and the account that he apparently died by suicide.