Wisconsin state Sen. Rick Gudex, 48, has died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot to the chest according to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department.
The sheriff’s office and the Fond du Lac County Medical Examiner’s Office said Gudex died from what appears to be a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. The Senator’s body was found at about 1:30 Wednesday morning in the Town of Eden.
Gudex was elected in 2012. The Fond du Lac Republican had already announced plans to leave at the end of this term.
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The circumstances surrounding Gudex’s death weren’t known until Wednesday afternoon. Earlier in the day, members of both parties offered condolences. Republican Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said Gudex would be “deeply missed by his Senate colleagues.” Democratic Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling said she was “shocked and saddened” by the news.
The Fond du Lac County sheriff said a follow-up investigation and toxicology results were pending.
According to his official biography, Gudex is married with two children.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information from law enforcement.
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