Dennis Hof, Still on Nevada Ballot, Is Laid to Rest

UPDATE (Nov. 7) — Dennis Hof defeated Democrat Lesia Romanov on Tuesday in the race for Nevada's 36th Assembly District. County officials will appoint a Republican to take his place in the seat. 

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Dennis Hof, the colorful brothel owner who passed away last month, was laid to rest Monday on the eve of an election that might have made him a state legislator.

Hof’s body was found at his Love Ranch South brothel after a weekend of parties celebrating his 72nd birthday and campaign. Hours earlier he had attended a rally for his campaign to win a seat in Nevada’s District 36.

Posthumously, Hof is favored to win the state Assembly seat in the red-saturated region northwest of Las Vegas. His name still remains on the ballot, but a public-awareness campaign about his death was initiated to alert voters.

The self-described “Trump of Pahrump” was running against Lesia Romanov. If he wins the race, local officials will nominate another Republican.  

On Monday, at the Happy Homestead Cemetery in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Hof’s body was enclosed in a bright candied-apple coffin, according to the Daily Mail. Hof’s favorite color was red.

The small private service at the cemetery lasted an hour; it preceded Saturday’s memorial at the Casino Fandango in Carson City, Nev., which was attended by 500 people.

One of those attending Hof’s service on Monday was his longtime confidant and general manager for his portfolio of brothels, Madam Suzette Cole.

Cole, who worked for Hof for 30 years, is believed to be inheriting Hof’s brothels and other property estimated to be worth $55 million. Hof’s last will and testament, however, has been contested by distant relatives.

Hof put Cole on the brothel licenses for his four locations in Lyon County, Nev., including The Sagebrush Ranch, Kit Kat Guest Ranch, The Love Ranch and the Moonlite Bunny Ranch.

The Love Ranch South, where Hof died, did not have Cole on the license, and has temporarily closed its doors. In Nye County, where the Love Ranch South is located, brothel licenses are not transferrable; Cole would have to apply for a license if she were to take over the operation.

Bob Zmuda, founder of Comic Relief USA, told attendees at the private service that “Dennis lived himself to death,” according to the Daily Mail.

Zmuda continued, “Dennis couldn’t have scripted his death any better, he died after having sex with a hooker.” 

Dasha Dare, a sex worker at one of Hof’s brothels, was reportedly with Hof just prior to his passing.

Hours later, adult icon Ron Jeremy, who had partied with Hof the previous night, found him nonresponsive at the Love Ranch South and called authorities.