Bridgette Gentry Marshall, wife of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, has died. Steve Marshall confirmed her death in a brief phone interview with AL.com on Sunday.
"She's passed away and we should have a release coming out shortly," Marshall said.
The state attorney general's office issued an official statement early Sunday afternoon.
"We are saddened to report that Bridgette Marshall, wife of Attorney General Steve Marshall, passed away this morning after a long struggle with mental illness," the statement said.
"Bridgette was a devoted and much beloved daughter, wife and mother. We ask that the people of Alabama keep the Marshall family in their prayers during this most difficult time."
The Albertville Police Department declined to comment on Brigette Marshall's death, and the Marshall County Sheriff's Office did not answer phone calls Sunday morning. Marshall County coroner Marlon Killion declined to comment.
Bridgette Marshall attended Snead State Community College and listed her occupation on Facebook as "Homemaker/Wife/Mom" and volunteer at Marshall County Christmas Coalition Hospice of Marshall County. She and her husband have a daughter, Faith, who attends Jacksonville State University, and the couple are members at LifePoint Church in Albertville, according to Steve Marshall's campaign website.
Troy King, Steve Marshall's challenger in the race for attorney general, sent a statement to AL.com Sunday morning responding to the news of her death.
"Today is a sad and difficult day. Today we are not in different political campaigns or camps. We are husbands and wives, fathers and mothers. We cannot imagine the deep sense of loss and grief the Marshall family must face," King wrote.
"We offer our deepest sympathies and heartfelt prayers for Attorney General Steve Marshall and his family and pray that God's grace and peace and hope will enfold and sustain them."
King added that he has "paused" his campaign and ordered that the campaign's advertising be "stopped."