The Nye County Sheriff's Office has determined that famed brothel owner and Republican Assembly candidate Dennis Hof's death just before the election was caused by a heart attack.

An autopsy report released Thursday indicates Hof, 72, died of natural causes — specifically "acute myocardial infarction due to atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease." It notes that diabetes and obesity were also significant factors, and a toxicology report found caffeine, Viagra and the active ingredient in marijuana in his blood.

The determination comes more than five months after Hof was found unresponsive at the Love Ranch South in Crystal. His death came days before early voting began and just after he had celebrated his birthday at the Pahrump Nugget along with longtime friend and pornographic actor Ron Jeremy, former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist.

Hof was outspoken about his work as a legal pimp, but his bid for a place in the Assembly made the Republican establishment uneasy. He died as he was in the middle of a campaign to prevent Lyon County voters from approving an advisory question to ban brothels.

He also faced accusations of unwanted sexual contact with women who formerly worked for him, although he was never charged with a crime.

He posthumously won his Assembly race, prompting county commissioners to appoint Gregory Hafen, general manager of the Pahrump Utility District, to represent the district.