I heard a story about Gagarin, but I cannot find any sources to confirm it now. One day he was driving home tired and caused a car accident. When the police arrived at the scene and saw him, they said he is free to go and that they will deal with the guilty party, some poor old man. Shortly Gagarin turned back and admitted the guilt, he couldn't have it on his conscience. He was a man of integrity.

Rumors surrounding his mysterious death were that the government thought the heroes should die young, before they become irrelevant or screw up and damage their image. The hero cult was very strong in Soviet Union.