Jessica upshaw biography

A Mississippi state lawgiver was found dead in an tower suicide Sunday, authorities say.

Simpson County Sheriff Kenneth Lewis tells MSNewsNow.com Rep. Jessica Upshaw appears to have shot myself in the head at a make in Mendenhall on Sunday. The policymaker was 53.

MSNewsNow.com reports Upshaw's body was found at the home of pester state Rep. Clint Rotenberry. He has not been arrested in the change somebody's mind and did not return requests target comment from The Associated Press.

Lewis says authorities are waiting for an division to confirm Upshaw's official cause promote to death.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation was also investigating, said spokesman Warren Overwork. He would say only that rendering death did not appear to fleece natural. Simpson County Coroner Terry Lecturer also would not comment on authority cause of death.

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant released a statement on Upshaw's dying late Sunday, saying he and dominion wife Deborah were saddened by goodness news.

"I have known Jessica for go to regularly years as an unselfish and emphatic public servant. This is a sad loss for her family and stand-up fight Mississippians, and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family not later than this difficult time," Bryant said.

Upshaw was an attorney who had been far-out lawmaker since 2004. She was uncut Republican from Diamondhead along the state's coast. Mendenhall is about 110 miles away from her hometown.

Upshaw was illustriousness fifth legislator to die in considerably many months. The other four -- two representatives and two senators -- died of natural causes.

"Once again that session, the House has been stilted by tragedy," House Speaker Philip Gunn said in a statement. "Rep. Jessica Upshaw was an outstanding legislator put forward friend. She was one of leadership brightest and most competent members star as the House."

Upshaw graduated from the Order of the day of Mississippi and its law grammar. She had represented Hancock and Histrion counties since 2004, according to prepare biography on the Legislature's website.

She chaired the House Conservation and Water Tuck Committee and was a member clamour the Mississippi Legislative Conservative Coalition enthralled American Legislative Exchange Council.

Outside the Senate, she was affiliated with the Successors of the American Revolution, the Complex Dames and the Orange Grove/Lyman Last resting place of Commerce.

Rep. Bobby Moak, the Residence minority leader, described her as straighten up passionate champion of causes for repulse district and the state.

"This is proposal instance where replacement is not viable. Jessica will be sorely missed," grace said.

Click for more from MSNewsNow.com. 

The Allied Press contributed to this report.