Mississippi lawmaker dead in apparent suicide: police

By Emily Le Coz

JACKSON, Mississippi (Reuters) - A Mississippi lawmaker died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head while visiting the home of a former state legislator, police said on Monday.

State Representative Jessica Upshaw, 53, was found dead on Sunday at former Representative Clinton Rotenberry Jr.'s home in Mendenhall, a suburb of the capital city of Jackson, said Mississippi Bureau of Investigation spokesman Warren Strain.

Upshaw, a Republican from the coastal city of Diamondhead, had served in the state legislature since 2004, according to the Mississippi Legislature's website. She also worked as an attorney.

Upshaw appeared to have shot herself in the head, Strain said. Her death remained under investigation on Monday by the Simpson County Sheriff's Department and the state investigation bureau, he said.

"The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy," Strain said. "At this point, it's premature to discuss anything further."

The Clarion-Ledger newspaper reported that Upshaw, who was not married, and Rotenberry, who was divorced, were thought to have been dating for several years. Rotenberry lost his seat in 2007.

Upshaw's body was found at the entrance to the home's garage, the newspaper said, citing Simpson County Sheriff Kenneth Lewis.

The sheriff did not return calls from Reuters for comment on Monday.

Upshaw was the fifth Mississippi legislator to die since November. Two state senators and two other representatives died of apparent natural causes.

"I have known Jessica for many years as an unselfish and dedicated public servant," Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant said. "This is a tragic loss for her family and all Mississippians and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family during this difficult time."

(Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Kevin Gray and Andre Grenon)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mississippi-lawmaker-dead-apparent-suicide-police-203944861.html

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