iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — Mark Mayfield, an embattled local Mississippi tea party leader, was found dead Friday morning in what police have deemed an apparent suicide, Mayfield’s attorney John Reeves told ABC News.
Mayfield was found in the garage with a gunshot wound to the head when first responders arrived at his home, Ridgeland Chief of Police Jimmy Houston told ABC News.
“It looks like a suicide at this point,” Houston said. “We did find a note. We need to authenticate it, but this appears to be a suicide.”
Officers believe Mayfield used a handgun, Houston said, noting the department is running a check to determine whether Mayfield had legally registered the firearm.
Mayfield faced felony conspiracy charges after a May 22 arrest. Authorities alleged Mayfield, 58, conspired with conservative blogger Clayton Kelly and others to photograph Sen. Thad Cochran’s incapacitated wife in her nursing home and use the photos in a political advertisement.
Earlier this week, Cochran fended off a challenge from tea party favorite Chris McDaniel in the state’s primary run-off.
Mayfield, who was himself an attorney, formerly sat on the board of directors at the Central Mississippi Tea Party.
Reeves said he was in a “state of shock” that Mayfield took his own life. Mayfield’s case was set to go before a grand jury next month.
Earlier this year, Kelly allegedly filmed Cochran’s wife, who suffers from dementia, and then put the video online. McDaniel disavowed the act and claimed he had no relationship with Kelly.
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant tweeted Friday that he and his wife are “saddened to hear of the loss of Mark Mayfield. He was a long-time friend, and he will be missed. Our prayers go out to his family in this tragic moment.”
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