Hunter S. Thompson Dead at 67

Hunter S. Thompson, author of New Journalism classics like Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas and Hell's Angels, died Sunday night of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his Aspen, Colo. home.

"Hunter prized his privacy and we ask that his friends and admirers respect that privacy as well as that of his family," Juan Thompson, the author's son, said in a statement released to the Aspen Daily News.

The Associated Press reported that Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis, a personal friend of Thompson, confirmed the death. Juan Thompson found his father's body. Thompson's wife, Anita, was not home at the time, the AP said. It was not known late Sunday if the shooting was intentional.

Thompson also covered the '72 Presidential Race in his book Fear & Loathing: On The Campaing Trail '72, was National Affairs editor for Rolling Stone, and a columnist for the San Fransisco Examiner and ESPN.com's "Page 2."

His uniquely subjective and irreverent style of "Gonzo" journalism, and his larger-than life personality made him one of America's most well-known writers. Thompson was portrayed twice on the big screen, first by Bill Murray in the 1980 cult classic Where The Buffalo Roam and then by Johnny Depp in 1998's adaptation of Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas.

Got news tips for Paste? Email news@pastemagazine.com.