Hunter S. Thompson, author of novels like \Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"" and ""Hell's Angels,"" shot himself in residence Sunday. His body was found by his only son in Thompson's Aspen home Sunday evening, and Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis confirmed the death to the Aspen Daily News. He was 67.
Thompson is credited with the creation of a form of journalism referred to as ""gonzo journalism,"" a new journalistic voice of the '60s which placed the journalist as a central figure of the story he or she was covering.
While enlisted in the United States Air Force, Thompson began his journalism career writing sports and editing for the Eglin Air Force Base Newsletter. He was later honorably discharged in 1958 when a supervising officer learned of his work at a civilian newspaper.
Thompson went on to write for Time, The New York Herald Tribune, National Observer, Rolling Stone and The San Fransisco Examiner. The writer is best known for his book ""Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream,"" which was described as a ""report of an actual experience which was largely fantasy or an actual fantasy which is disguised as report.""
Thompson is as infamous for his lifestyle as he is for his writing. His heavy use of alcohol and drugs often intertwined in his personal style of journalism. At one point in 1990, a police search of his home revealed marijuana, cocaine and LSD.
His most recent book was ""Hey Rube: Blood Sport, the Bush Doctrine, and the Downward Spiral of Dumbness."" He had also written several columns for ESPN's online Page2 section. Thompson leaves behind his wife Anita and his son Juan.
