Mysterious last show for radio talk show host

Art Bell, a Pahrump-based late-night national radio talk show host known for his intriguing broadcasts about subjects ranging from vampire monkeys to UFOs, announced on the air today that he is quitting radio.

"You may recall about a year ago ... I told you that there was an event -- a threatening terrible event occurred to my family -- which I could not tell you about," Bell, host of the "Dreamland" and "Coast to Coast AM" shows, said during today's broadcast at 2:55 a.m.

"Because of that event and a succession of other events, what you're listening to now is my final broadcast on the air. ... I'm going off the air and will not return."

Bell, 52, was heard locally on KVBC-FM 105.1. His Coast to Coast AM show began more than a decade ago and is heard via more than 400 stations.

"I truly have no idea (if this is for real)," said Dane Wilt, general manager of KVBC-FM. "The last thing I heard Art was in Africa.

"We got a number of calls this morning from people asking where Art is going. But I have not talked with him or the network (Jacor/Premier), so I don't know."

Attempts to reach Bell for comment were not successful. There is no listing for him in Pahrump. He does his early morning broadcasts from his home.

In addition to space aliens, unidentified flying objects and the paranormal, Bell also discussed politics, the Gulf War Syndrome, assisted suicide and other current events.

In a 1997 interview with the Sun, Bell said of some of his listeners: "I get a guest on the air, and they're weird or strange, and I help them tell their story. ... If someone's a flake, I help them dig their own hole."

During today's broadcast, Bell told listeners: "When the time comes when I can tell you what occurred, I will tell you. ... It's not that I want to hold anything back from my audience, however, for the protection of my family, until it is otherwise revealed, I can't discuss it. I won't discuss it.

He ended his broadcast: "That is the end of this man's broadcast career. So, thank you, and goodbye."