Jefferson City, MO – The spokesman for the Missouri auditor’s has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in what police described Monday as an apparent suicide. The death comes about a month after the state auditor also killed himself.
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Robert “Spence” Jackson was found was found dead Sunday evening in his home in Jefferson City after police responded to a well-being check, the Jefferson City Police Department said in a written statement. Police said they are investigating the case as a suicide.
Jackson’s boss, Auditor Tom Schweich, fatally shot himself on Feb. 26 at his home in the St. Louis suburb of Clayton in what police also have described as a suicide.
Jackson, 45, had remained as the auditor’s office spokesman after Schweich’s death. He also previously had served as a spokesman for former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt.
Blunt issued a written statement Monday saying he was saddened to learn of his friend’s death.
“Spence was a gifted communicator who dedicated his talents in public affairs to public service,” Blunt said. “Spence was hard-working, well-liked and quick-witted.”
Police said they responded to a call to Jackson’s apartment a little after 7 p.m. Sunday after one of Jackson’s family members said he had been unresponsive to phone calls.
A property manager provided a key to police officers, who found Jackson dead in his bedroom from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police. Police said there was no physical evidence of a forced entry or struggle, but that an autopsy is planned for Monday and detectives are continuing to investigate the case.