Comedian Stephen Colbert has closed the Colbert Super PAC, citing the death of “Ham Rove” as the reason behind his decision. “Ham Rove” was Mr. Colbert’s parody of former Bush adviser Karl Rove. With the conclusion of the 2012 presidential race, Mr. Colbert had accomplished his goal of exposing some of the ridiculousness involved in American politics.

“I write this letter with a heavy heart and elevated cholesterol,” Mr. Colbert remarked in a letter posted on the web site of the Colbert Super PAC. “Earlier today, our advisor and chief strategist, Ham Rove, passed away. Authorities believe he repeatedly tripped and fell onto a knife several dozen times. Later some dogs ate him. It was all quite tragic.”

Although it isn’t exactly clear why “Ham Rove” died, the strategist’s performance on election night may have given Mr. Colbert the perfect opportunity to end his relationship with the fictional character. Working as a contributor for Fox News last Tuesday, the co-founder of American Crossroads questioned the network’s decision to project President Obama the winner of the 2012 presidential election.

Mr. Rove told Fox News to be “careful about calling things when we have like 991 votes separating the two candidates and a quarter of the vote yet to count,” adding, “even if they [the number crunchers] have made it on the basis of select precincts, I’d be very cautious about intruding in this process.”

Mr. Colbert launched his super PAC during the Republican primary race.

“Due to Ham Rove’s timely passing, I am announcing that Colbert Super PAC is shutting down effective immediately. During this time of mourning, we ask that you respect our privacy, and more importantly, the privacy of our money. It wishes to stay out of the public eye, so please don’t go trying to find it. Rest assured, you won’t. We have a really good lawyer,” Mr. Colbert wrote.

The closing of the Colbert Super PAC marks the end of a successful effort to give viewers a glimpse of the often-criticized role that super PACs play in politics following the Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case.

Mr. Colbert still has to decide how to spend the remaining money in the super PAC’s bank account, as The Hollywood Reporter noted that there’s still $800,000 left. The Colbert Super PAC spent more than $460,000 during the election, according to the Federal Elections Commission.

Mr. Colbert recently learned how to keep the $800,000 in donations.

“I can spend it on anything I want. I could use my super PAC money to buy a private jet, and I have to justify it to no one,” Mr. Colbert told Playboy in a recent interview.

The Colbert Super PAC raised more than a million dollars during its existence, mostly from individual donors (including former President Jimmy Carter).