Andrew Breitbart dies at 43

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Updated at 11 a.m. ET

Andrew Breitbart, the conservative media entrepreneur and activist who published photos that led to Rep. Anthony Weiner's resignation from Congress last year, died unexpectedly early Thursday after collapsing while on a walk near his house in southern California. He was 43.

A message posted on Breitbart's websites on Thursday read, "We have lost a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a dear friend, a patriot and a happy warrior. Andrew lived boldly, so that we more timid souls would dare to live freely and fully, and fight for the fragile liberty he showed us how to love."

Breitbart died just after midnight at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Larry Dietz, a spokesman for the L.A. county coroner's office, told CBS News. Breitbart's father-in-law Orson Bean told the Associated Press that Breitbart was walking near his house in the Brentwood neighborhood when he collapsed.

Breitbart's friends and foes react to his death

Breitbart, an online publisher who ran multiple sites including Breitbart.com and BigGovernment.com, was known for breaking news and creating narratives that stirred controversy for Democrats. In addition to publishing the photos of Weiner last year, Breitbart also published an out-of-context video from 2010 that created a controversy surrounding then-U.S. Agriculture Department employee Shirley Sherrod.

Breitbart is survived by his wife Susannah Bean Breitbart, 41, and four children.

Conservatives Thursday morning mourned Breitbart's death. Upon learning the news, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum called it "shocking."

"What a powerful force," he said of Breitbart. "It's almost - you think of anybody out there who's just got more energy, and just, out there constantly, driving and pushing. What a huge loss, in my opinion, for our country, and certainly for the conservative movement."

Via Twitter, Mitt Romney said, "Ann and I are deeply saddened by the passing of @AndrewBreitbart: brilliant entrepreneur, fearless conservative, loving husband and father."

Erick Erickson of the conservative blog RedState.com said Breitbart's death was "like a supernova has gone dark."

CBSNews.com political reporter Lucy Madison and CBS News/ National Journal reporter Rebecca Kaplan contributed to this report.

Watch CBSNews.com's extensive interview with Breitbart from May, 2011, in which he discussed his disdain for the mainstream media and offered his perspective on the Republican presidential race:

10 Photos

Andrew Breitbart: 1969-2012

[MoriahMJ]

Breitbart was, no doubt, a malicious liar and race baiter. He probably died because he could NOT find anything negative or scandalous about President Obama, as he has promised to do for years. It is difficult, make that impossible, to mourn the death of someone who was so unscrupulous, divisive, deceitful, and for the most part, diabolical!

[erpicferl]

you're next rush!

*crossed fingers*

[REDBEAR57]

43 is too young to die and I do not wish it on anyone, no matter how much I disagree with their politics. RIP

[Zann-Zel]

CBS....what happened to Mortar?

[msvoltaire]

43 is a young age to die from heart problems. Hate and anger, irrational hate based paranoia takes a toll on the body and mind. I also believe that the good or bad one does comes back to them = Karma. Even superstitious ancient tribesmen left in their records that a person reaps what they sow.

[RepubsSuck]

Good riddance, and I hope that republicans follow his lead...especially Rush! Any volunteers???

[lg144]

Breitbart now resides with the father of lies (Satan) which is exactly where a liar like him belongs.

[jimbobkalina]

Hes been looking loopier than usual lately. Some say the booze and drugs were too much. Could have been a perforation from a meeting with his "posse". God is forgiving. He gave this man many chances to stop lieing and clean up his act.

[tafhdyd]

"... What a huge loss, in my opinion, for our country, and certainly for the conservative movement."

Sounds more like karma to me.

[cbvill72]

He got rid of Anthony Wiener and Shirley Sherrod. That's a pretty good resume' to have. He also started GOProud.

Anthony Wiener nor Shirley Sherrod will never work for the Govt. in any large capacity ever again .....We can all tip our caps to him for that.

[tafhdyd]

So why didn't he get rid of Larry Craig or Ted Haggard or etc. etc.?

[jcs2059]

06/03/02/2012 A.D. SHIRLEY SHERROD WAS AN INNOCENT VICTIM.I WILL NOT TIP ANY HAT TO ANDREW BREITBART FOR THAT OR ANYTHING ELSE.