Veteran Nevada journalist dies

Las Vegas Review-Journal writer Kenneth James Evans died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Friday night at his home. He was 46.

The death came only a day after the death of Evans' close friend, Rafael Tammariello, a columnist and editorial writer for the newspaper. Tammariello, 48, died of an apparent heart attack at his home Thursday night.

"The newsroom is devastated," said Review-Journal Editor Thomas Mitchell. "In the space of 24 hours, we have lost two friends and colleagues far too young."

Evans worked for newspapers in Tonopah, Lovelock and Elko before joining the Review-Journal in 1987 as a reporter for Nevadan, the newspaper's Sunday magazine.

In 1990 he was named Nevadan editor, but became a reporter later that year when the Review-Journal ceased publication of the magazine.

In 1992, Evans became public information officer for the Nevada Commission on Tourism, a position he held for five years before rejoining the Review-Journal last year.

Evans completed work last week on "The First 100," a long-term special project that documents the lives and times of Nevada's most historic figures. It was a section in Sunday's Review-Journal.

"He was a natural at spinning yarns, at letting the brush strokes of his words ebb and flow until a person's life story was laid out for all to see," Mitchell said.

Survivors include wife Kathy Reardon, son Joshua and daughter Lisa.

Funeral arrangements were pending.

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