Republican Lawmaker Found Dead From Gunshot Wound To Head

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation officials are looking into the death of state Rep. Jessica Upshaw, who was found at a residence in Simpson County on Sunday.

The 53-year-old Republican lawmaker from Diamondhead in Hancock County died of a gunshot wound to the head, Simpson County Sheriff told WLBT-TV.

“It appeared to be self-inflicted,” he said.

Lewis told The Clarion-Ledger that Upshaw was found at the home of former state Rep. Clint Rotenberry in Mendenhall. Rotenberry was first elected to the House in 1992. He lost a Republican primary runoff to Andy Gipson in House District 77, covering parts of Rankin, Simpson and Smith counties, in 2007..

Simpson County Coroner Terry Tutor would not release any details on Upshaw’s death.

“She’s passed; that’s all I know at this point,” he said. “I’ve given it to MBI. They’re doing their investigation on it.”

h/t Clarion Ledger