Crazy shit...
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7005168/
We studied this guy quite a bit in college as the father of "non-fiction narrative," also called "gonzo journalism," among other things. His thing was telling stories not as an observer, but as a participant. The line between fact and fiction was blurred enough that it's hard to say what exactly was for real.
Personally, I thought he was a narcissistic pompous asshole in his writing, but if he shot himself, he obviously didn't love himself as much as I thought. Some of what he wrote was interesting, but aside from knowing that he essentially created a genre of writing, I can't say I remember anything of his that I read. These days I'd think of him more for articles in Rolling Stone.
I hate suicide stories. Few things could be more cowardly and selfish.