Phoenix native, Nevada brothel owner Dennis Hof dead at 72

Phoenix native and brothel owner Dennis Hof has died, according to The Associated Press. He was 72.

BREAKING: Nevada law enforcement says brothel owner who starred in HBO show and GOP legislative candidate Dennis Hof has died.

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 16, 2018

An employee at Hof’s Love Ranch brothel about an hour outside of Las Vegas summoned authorities a little before 11 a.m. Tuesday after Hof was found unresponsive and not breathing, Nye County Sheriff Lt. David Boruchowitz told the publication.

He declined to say where on the property Hof was found, and said people at the business were being questioned.

“Preliminarily, there is no indication of foul play,” Boruchowitz said.

Hof, who owned several brothels in Nevada, was also running for a Nevada state seat at the time of his death.

He had fashioned himself as a Donald Trump-style Republican candidate for the state Legislature.

Political consultant Chuck Muth tweeted that Hof passed away Tuesday morning.

I just confirmed with Nye County sheriff’s deputy that Dennis Hof passed away this morning. No other details at this point. I’m heading out to Love Ranch Vegas now. Official statement will come once I learn more.

— Chuck Muth (@ChuckMuth) October 16, 2018

Just arrived on-scene at Love Ranch Vegas. Dennis died quietly in his sleep. Ron Jeremy found him this morning when he went to wake him to go to a meeting in Pahrump. Investigation still going on.

— Chuck Muth (@ChuckMuth) October 16, 2018

Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was at a campaign rally for Hof on Monday.

At @ElectHof’s birthday party/campaign rally in Pahrump. Grover Norquist & Sheriff Joe Arpaio in the house. And @TuckerCarlson just called in to say high to the standing-room-only crowd. pic.twitter.com/fVHjRsG4sj

— Chuck Muth (@ChuckMuth) October 16, 2018

It wasn’t immediately clear how elections officials would handle Hof’s death.

Hof had turned 72 on Sunday.

Hof’s most famed brothel was the Moonlite BunnyRanch, which he purchased in 1992.

He also starred in the HBO series Cathouse, which ran from 2002 to 2014. The series followed the BunnyRanch workers.

His Love Ranch brothel is where NBA player Lamar Odom was found unconscious in 2015.

The brothel was temporarily shuttered twice this year by regulators who said Hof had failed to renew licenses and get proper permits for renovations.

Hof was born in Phoenix in 1946, according to his campaign website.

He also got his first start in business in Arizona, purchasing several gas stations and a towing company.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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