"Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, 41, passed away this evening at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport due to complications from COVID-19," Letlow spokesman Andrew Bautsch wrote in a post on the Republican congressman-elect's Facebook page.
Letlow's family, he said, "appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past da
ys but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time."Two Republican sources also confirmed Letlow's passing.
Letlow had announced his diagnosis on his Facebook page on December 18, writing that he was "at home resting, following all CDC guidelines, quarantine protocols, and the recommendations of my doctors."
Days later, Letlow posted that he was undergoing treatment at St. Francis Hospital in Monroe before a statement from his office on December 23 said he had been transferred to Ochsner LSU Heath Shreveport Academic Medical Center.
Dr. G.E. Ghali, the chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport, said in a statement at the time that Letlow was in "stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit" and was receiving the drug Remdesivir and steroids as part of his treatment.
News of Letlow's death was met with an immediate outpouring of support for the congressman-elect's family.
"Luke Letlow is now with our Creator, but his premature departure from this world is a huge loss to Louisiana and America. Just weeks ago, voters overwhelmingly chose Luke to represent them in Congress," Rep. Garret Graves, a Republican of Louisiana, tweeted.
"They saw what so many of us know of Luke - kind, smart, quick-witted, God-fearing, hard-working, honest and just a good guy."
That message was echoed by New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, a Democrat, who said in a tweet, "We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow."
"He was a promising young leader who loved Louisiana deeply. Our prayers go out to his family and loved ones
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