Police said Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich fatally shot himself Thursday in an apparent suicide minutes after talking with reporters.

Schweich, who recently launched a Republican campaign for governor, was pronounced dead at the hospital from a single gunshot, said Clayton Police Chief Kevin Murphy.

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"Everything at this point does suggest that it is an apparent suicide," Murphy said, adding that an autopsy would be conducted Friday.

The police said that 13 minutes before police got an emergency call from Schweich's suburban St. Louis home, he had a phone conversation with the Associated Press. Police say the emergency call to Schweich's house was received at 9:48 a.m.

During the interview, Schweich revealed his plans to go public that afternoon about how the head of the Missouri Republican Party made anti-Semitic comments about him.

The persons he referred to denied making such comment.

Schweich, who had Jewish ancestry, was also upset by comments describing him as a weak candidate for governor.

"The campaign had been difficult, as all campaigns are," Jackson said. "There were a lot of things that were on his mind," said spokesman Spence Jackson.

Schweich, 54, was described by many of Missouri's top elected officials as brilliant and devoted public servant with a clean record of office.

His death stunned his colleagues and other state officials.

Missouri Republican Party Chairman John Hancock asked for prayers for Schweich's family.

"I am in utter shock at the news of Tom Schweich's tragic passing. Tom will be remembered as a tenacious, energetic, effective elected official who worked tirelessly on behalf of the citizens of this state and this nation," he said. "I ask all Missourians to join me in praying for Tom's family." 

TagsTom Schweich, Missouri Auditor