Eric Bolling dies at 19

Eric Bolling, seen on air in 2015. Photograph: Richard Drew/AP

The 19-year-old son of former Fox News host Eric Bolling died on Friday, the day the network said it had parted company with his father, who was suspended last month after allegations he sent lewd photos to female co-workers.

In a tweet on Saturday afternoon, Bolling said: “Adrienne and I are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Eric Chase last night. Details still unclear. Thoughts, prayers appreciated.”

He added: “Authorities have informed us there is no sign of self harm at this point. Autopsy will be next week. Please respect our grieving period.”

Fox News said in a statement to media outlets: “We are very saddened to hear of the passing of Eric Bolling’s son. Eric Chase was a wonderful young man and our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bolling family.”

The Fox News host Sean Hannity tweeted: “To my dear friend, please know we all love you, will be here for you and your family.”

Eric Chase Bolling was a freshman at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Boulder police were investigating a death near the university, but Sgt Nick Smetzer said the department would not release the circumstances of the death or identify the person who died.

On Friday, Fox said Bolling’s departure from the network was amicable and said it was cancelling the program he hosted, The Specialists.

Bolling’s lawyer, Michael Bowe, said he did not have a comment beyond the Fox statement on the parting. Bolling had filed notice of an intent to file a defamation lawsuit against Yashar Ali, the Huffington Post reporter who wrote about the allegations. Bowe said Friday’s action did not affect that case.

Bolling worked at Fox for 10 years and had been considered a rising star, one of its more vociferous supporters of Donald Trump. He had the lead role on The Specialists, which aired at 5pm ET each weekday.

In May, the first edition of The Specialists featured an interview with Trump. In June, Trump retweeted a tweet about Bolling’s book, The Swamp: Washington’s Murky Pool of Corruption and Cronyism and How Trump Can Drain It.

Bolling also hosted a Saturday show, Cashin’ In, and All-American New Year. Before entering television he was a trader at and board member of the New York Mercantile Exchange. He recently speculated about a run for a southern US Senate seat.