The Tragic Death Of Luke Letlow
Louisiana's Congressman-elect Luke Letlow passed away on Dec. 29, 2020. According to the Monroe News-Star, who was the first to report of Letlow's death, the Republican congressman-elect announced on Dec. 18, 2020 that he had tested positive for Covid-19. A few days later, he entered St. Francis Hospital in Monroe for treatment.
However, on Dec. 23, 2020, Letlow was transferred to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Academic Medical Center, according to CNN. The chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport, Dr. G.E. Ghali, said shortly after the time of his transfer that Letlow was stable and was in the Intensive Care Unit. He was receiving doses of the drug Remdesivir as well as steroids, per CNN.
However, Letlow soon died from a heart attack, according to News-Star, shortly after a "procedure related to the infection." Ghali said Letlow's untimely passing was "devastating to our entire team."
"He had no underlying conditions," Ghali added. "It was just COVID." The outpouring of grief has been considerable. Here's what people have to say.
An outpouring of grief for Luke Letlow's family
Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow passed away in the evening on Dec. 29, 2020, according to People, at the age of 41. He was slated to be sworn in to Congress on Jan. 3, 2021.
The Congressman-elect's spokesman, Andrew Bautsch, wrote on Letlow's Facebook page the night of his passing, writing "Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, 41, passed away this evening at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport due to complications from COVID-19," (via CNN.)
Letlow is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, and their two children, Jeremiah and Jacqueline, according to the Monroe News-Star. The Governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards, wrote on Twitter on Dec. 29, 2020, "It is with heavy hearts that @FirstLadyOfLA and I offer our condolences to Congressman-elect Luke Letlow's family on his passing after a battle with COVID-19."
In a Twitter thread, Edwards added, "COVID-19 has taken Congressman-elect Letlow from us far too soon. I am heartbroken that he will not be able to serve our people as a U.S. Representative, but I am even more devastated for his loving family." Many others joined Edwards in expressing their grief for his wife and young children after the tragic passing of Letlow.