Boise (670 KBOI) – The Idaho Legislature is shocked at news of the death of former Representative Brandon Hixon, who was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Caldwell home this morning.

House Speaker Scott Bedke says he and the rest of the House thought of Hixon as a friend as well as a colleague, which makes it that much tougher to come to grips with.

“I’m trying to get my mind around it,” said Bedke.  “I think with these kinds of things, we all ask ourselves what we could’ve done to help prevent this.  I think it’s helpful if our thoughts and our desires along those lines lead to action.  And I hope that’s what happens.”

Bedke announced Hixon’s death on the House floor this morning, which was followed by a prayer, then the House adjourned.

In recent months, Hixon had been plagued with problems, including a sexual abuse investigation and two DUIs. He was 36.