Louisiana Rep.-elect Luke Letlow died Tuesday night of complications related to the coronavirus. He was 41.
A family friend confirmed to the Monroe News-Star that Letlow died in Ochsner LSU Health’s intensive care unit in Shreveport, where he had been hospitalized with COVID-19 since December 23.
“The family appreciates the many prayers and support over the past few days, but asks for privacy at this difficult and unexpected time,” its spokesman said in a statement.
The newly elected Republican announced on December 18 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantined at home for the first time.
He was hospitalized the next day and eventually transferred to the ICU.
Letlow, a married father of two from rural Start, La., Won the Pelican State’s 5th district seat in a second race on December 5 and was due to take office on Sunday.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards offered his condolences to Letlow’s family, saying he had ordered flags to be flown by half of the staff on the day of the elected congressman’s funeral, which will be at a later date. be announced.
“COVID-19 took congressman-elect Letlow from us far too soon. I am devastated that he will not be able to serve our people as a representative of the US, but I am even more devastated by his loving family, ” Edwards said in a statement.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Letlow’s wife Julia thanked the public for their “continued prayers and good wishes” as her husband continued the fight against the disease.
“We thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for the abundance of support we have received and feel truly blessed to be touched by the prayers of so many,” she wrote.