Dennis Hof dies at 72: He spent his final hours with Ron Jeremy, Heidi Fleiss, and other recognizable names
The story of Dennis Hof’s death has some familiar names.
Hof, the owner of the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, featured in HBO’s Cathouse series, was found dead at one of his other brothels, the Love Ranch in Crystal, Nev., on Tuesday morning, hours after supporters cheered him at a campaign rally for his bid for a seat in the state Legislature. People, including adult film star Ron Jeremy, former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss, former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and others were in Hof’s orbit in the hours leading up to his death.
Ron Jeremy
Jeremy, a longtime friend, is the one who discovered Hof’s body in his bed at the ranch, where the group had gone after the rally. He told the Associated Press that Hof’s body was cold and “totally stiff.”
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
Photos show Jeremy palling around with Hof years ago, at events such as the AVN Awards and the Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav. (Flav, the former Public Enemy rapper is, like Jeremy, a former star on the VH1 reality show, The Surreal Life, although the two were in different seasons.) Apparently, Jeremy even played “Happy Birthday” on the harmonica for Hof, who turned 72 on Sunday.
Adult film star Ron Jeremy now providing entertainment playing Happy Birthday on the harmonica. Only in Nevada! pic.twitter.com/c36sSlZaiD
— Chuck Muth (@ChuckMuth) October 16, 2018
Hof had said Flav would be part of his Monday event, but the rapper’s lawyer, Kristina Wildeveld, told the Associated Press that Flav did not attend the party.
Heidi Fleiss
Heidi Fleiss told the Daily Mail that she and Jeremy drove to Monday’s rally with Hof. “On the way down on the drive, on the 8-hour drive, Dennis was joking about Ron’s health and how he needed to take better care of himself. We were all making fun of Ron and just generally life,” she said.
Fleiss was once in a relationship with Hof, but referred to him as her “good friend” in a June 2018 interview with the Hollywood Reporter. She was understandably upset about the loss.
“His diet was so unhealthy,” Fleiss said. “I told him months ago to start eating healthy. Dennis was really excited about the future. I’m devastated about his death. I’m still in shock over it.”
Joe Arpaio
The controversial former Phoenix, Ariz.-area sheriff and failed Senate candidate gave a speech in support of Hof at Monday’s rally/birthday bash, which began at a local hotel.
“The thing I liked about him: He was with Trump and was for the Second Amendment and lower taxes,” Arpaio told the Associated Press.
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
Noted conservatives Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Grover Norquist, of Americans for Tax Reform, were also part of Monday night’s campaign rally.
Afterward, only some of the partygoers went to the brothel.
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