Mississippi lawmaker found dead of apparent gunshot wound

AP / File

Rep. Jessica Upshaw was found dead from a gunshot wound Sunday afternoon.

By Daniel Arkin, Staff Writer, NBC News

Mississippi officials are investigating the?death of state legislator who was found?at the home of a former colleague Sunday afternoon, according to local reports.

State Rep. Jessica Upshaw, 53, appeared to have died of a gunshot wound, Simpson County Sheriff Kenneth Lewis told NBC station WLBT in Jackson, Miss.

?It appeared she had a gunshot wound to her head. It appeared to be self-inflicted,? Lewis told WLBT.

Upshaw, a Republican who had served in the state legislature since 2004 representing District 95, was discovered at the private residence of former state lawmaker Clint Rotenberry, in Mendenhall, Miss., according to The Clarion-Ledger.

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) released a statement Sunday evening praising the late lawmaker.

"I have known Jessica for many years as an unselfish and dedicated public servant. 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," Bryant said.

Upshaw, a former attorney, was chairwoman of the Conservation and Natural Resources Committee in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/653381/s/29f6f134/l/0Lusnews0Bnbcnews0N0C0Inews0C20A130C0A30C250C174545620Emississippi0Elawmaker0Efound0Edead0Eof0Eapparent0Egunshot0Ewound0Dlite/story01.htm

saints bounty program toulouse france ny jets ny jets the situation tim tebow jets katy perry part of me video