'Stalking Cat' Daniel Avner found dead in 'suicide' after years of transforming his face to look like a feline

Dennis Avner, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, was found dead in his Tonopah, Nevada, home on November 5
Was known for numerous body modification procedures to make himself look like a female cat
Friend says that Avner 'was at times as troubled as he was remarkable' and he killed himself

PUBLISHED: 16:39 EST, 13 November 2012 | UPDATED: 17:55 EST, 13 November 2012

Dennis Avner, the Nevada man who spent years trying to morph his body into that of a cat has died. He was 54.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Avner underwent a series of radical body modification procedures to make himself look like a female cat, from whiskers and ears to a mechanical tail.

His body was found in his home in Tonopah on November 5.

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Stalking Cat: Dennis Avner, a Nevada man who spent years trying to morph his body into that of a female cat, was found dead on November 5

Avner's operations have included bifurcation (splitting) of his upper lip, surgical pointing of the ears, sillicone cheek and forehead implants, tooth filing, tattoos, and facial piercing.

Avner, from Tonopah, Nevada, likes to go by his Indian name 'Stalking Cat.'

'I am Huron and following a very old tradition have transformed myself into a tiger,' he said on his now-defunct website.

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Descended from American Indians, Avner felt inspired after a discussion with a Native chief who inspired him to 'follow the ways of the tiger.'

With his overgrown fingernails, fangs and striped skin tone, Avner was a highly recognizable figure in his neighborhood.

Oddity: Avner, pictured in 2009, underwent a series of radical body modification procedures to make himself look like a female cat, from whiskers and ears to a mechanical tail

Mission: Descended from American Indians, Avner felt inspired after a discussion with a Native chief who inspired him to 'follow the ways of the tiger'

His cause of death has not yet been revealed, yet some are speculating that up speculation that Avner may have killed himself.

Shannon Larratt, the former editor and publisher of BMEzine and friend of Avner, wrote in a blog post: 'A wonderful and complex person, he was at times as troubled as he was remarkable, and he recently took his own life at the age of 54.'

His surgeries were done by Steve Haworth, an artist and pioneer of body modification techniques.

While Avner worked as a computer programmer, he often appeared at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! events around the world.

VIDEO: Cat Man's TV Appearance:

ModBlog: RIP Stalking Cat

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This is sad. I remember seeing a show about him years ago, and that he seemed like a nice person. Maybe he felt lonely.

- NoDoubt , Phoenix, 16/11/2012 00:50

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Please note, attempting to morph yourself into something you are not is a sign that you are crazy. This would include "sex change" surgery, which does not actually change your sex. It is just self mutilation.

- Marie , San Francisco, 15/11/2012 19:41

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Who are the charlatans who did this to him? 1. Himself. And 2. Tattoo "artists" and body modification "artists." That's how they make money. They ruin people's skin and features and tell them they look "cool."

- NoGuff , Los Angeles USA, 15/11/2012 07:08

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Buh-bye, Fluffy. Where are they gonna find a shoe box THAT big?

- James , Crimora VA USA, 15/11/2012 05:19

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I guess that means you won't need to change his litter box any more, mom.

- Neal , Greenville SC, 15/11/2012 02:47

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There goes the 9 lives theory!!

- Chuck Dewey , Santa Clara, United States, 15/11/2012 02:12

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Wonder if he liked Cat Stephens? "Oooooh baby, baby it's a wild world..."