what happened to jack in brokeback mountain

Jack Twist dies near the end of Brokeback Mountain , but the story leaves the exact cause intentionally ambiguous. Lureen says it was a tire accident, while Ennis imagines that Jack may have been murdered because of his sexuality.

What the film shows

Jack’s postcard is returned marked “deceased,” and Ennis calls Lureen to ask what happened. Lureen explains that Jack was changing a tire when it blew up, the rim struck his face, and he died from the injuries.

Why people debate it

The movie cuts to a violent image as Ennis hears the story, which suggests his fear that Jack was beaten to death rather than killed in an accident. So the official account is an accident, but the film strongly hints that Ennis suspects a hate crime.

If you want, I can also explain why the ending is framed that way in the movie and novella.