HBO brothel boss Dennis Hof found dead after 72nd birthday celebrations
The Republican candidate was the star of reality TV series Cathouse.
America’s most famous pimp has been found dead in one of his brothels after a days-long party with porn stars, political pals and others to celebrate his 72nd birthday.
Dennis Hof, a Donald Trump-style Republican who won a primary for a seat in the Nevada legislature this year, spent his last nights in a series of celebrations across the state that drew notables from politics and the sex industry — two worlds he managed to bridge.
His final party on Monday night at the Pahrump Nugget hotel casino, about an hour’s drive outside Las Vegas, included veteran porn star Ron Jeremy, tax-cut activist Grover Norquist, one-time “Hollywood Madam” Heidi Fleiss and ex-Arizona sheriff and politician Joe Arpaio.
“Boy, that’s shocking,” Mr Arpaio, the former sheriff of Phoenix, said of the death. He said Mr Hof was in good spirits when Mr Arpaio left the party.
Mr Hof – the star of HBO reality series Cathouse – did not drink, smoke or use drugs, his campaign consultant Chuck Muth said. Despite a rigorous schedule, he seemed in a “perfect mood” and in “perfect health” at the parties.
“He was sitting on a stool talking with people when I left about 10,” said Nye County Sheriff Sharon Wehrly, who guessed more than 100 people attended the Pahrump event. “I guess that’s partying at 72.”
Jeremy, who also attended the Pahrump Nugget party, said he and Dasha Dare, a prostitute from one of Mr Hof’s brothels, found the body on Tuesday morning in Mr Hof’s residence at his Love Ranch brothel.
She said there was no preliminary indication of foul play but her office was investigating and a post-mortem was scheduled by the Clark County coroner in Las Vegas. She said results could take six weeks.
Mr Muth said Friday night’s celebration in northern Nevada had been a “Save the Brothels” concert raising funds to fight a ballot initiative that would close brothels in Lyon County, where Mr Hof owned four properties.
Mr Hof owned a handful of brothels in Nevada, the only state that allows them to operate legally.
His Love Ranch brothel is where basketball star Lamar Odom was found unconscious in 2015.
In addition to his legislative campaign, he fought a push to outlaw brothels and had problems with local regulators in the two counties where he ran licensed premises.
He had also been accused of sexual assault at least four times. The Nevada Department of Public Safety has said it was investigating an allegation made in September but released few details.
