WLOX News has confirmed that Harrison County Supervisor William Martin was found dead inside his home in Gulfport from a single gunshot wound. (Photo source: WLOX)
A note was also found, but officials are not yet releasing details of what it said. (Photo source: WLOX)
Friends and family members have gathered outside the home. Many appear in disbelief at the news of Martin's suicide. (Photo source: WLOX)
Martin failed to show up to a scheduled meeting with officials at 8am. He was also scheduled to be in federal court at 11am. (Photo source: WLOX)
William Martin was an attorney who became Harrison County District 4 supervisor in 1999.
HARRISON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -Harrison County Supervisor William Martin was found dead inside his home in Gulfport from a single gunshot wound, Thursday. A note was also found with the body, but officials are not yet releasing details of what was written.
News of Martin's suicide came shortly after he was indicted on federal charges of bribery and obstruction of justice. An arrest warrant was issued Thursday morning after the district 4 supervisor failed to show up to a scheduled meeting with officials at 8am. He was also scheduled to be in federal court at 11am.
District 1 Supervisor Windy Swetman said, "I, along with my fellow board members, are all shocked and deeply saddened. Our concern is for the Martin family and for prayers for them."
A team from the State Auditor's Office was at the Harrison County Courthouse in downtown Gulfport early Thursday morning removing stacks of paperwork. The county administrator told WLOX News the auditor's investigators were asking for transportation, inventory, and personnel records from Martin's office.
The corruption allegation against Martin comes two months after former supervisor Kim Savant resigned from office. Savant pleaded guilty to a corruption charge linked to the Harrison County Utility Authority. He's waiting to be sentenced for that crime.
Since that December guilty plea, rumors have swirled that additional federal indictments would be filed against political leaders in Harrison County. Supervisor Martin was one of the people whose name was caught up in that speculation.
Martin was an attorney who became Harrison County District 4 Supervisor in 1999. As of Thursday morning, he was the only candidate to qualify for that seat in the 2015 elections. But in the last few hours, two people have filed papers: Damon Reese and Joshua Spann.
The qualifying deadline is Friday.
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