The Latest: Michigan lawmaker found dead hours after arrest

LANSING, Mich. – The Latest on the death of Michigan state Rep. John Kivela (all times local):

__

4:45 p.m.

Gov. Rick Snyder and other state elected officials say they are saddened by the death of Michigan Rep. John Kivela whose body was found in a Lansing home after a possible drunken driving arrest.

Snyder called the Marquette Democrat a “great guy” in announcing Kivela’s death Tuesday to reporters during a news conference on a state Supreme Court appointment.

Lansing police spokesman Robert Merritt says “at this point, there are no obvious indications of foul play” associated with Kivela’s death.

Kivela was arrested Monday along a highway in Clinton County. Sheriff Lawrence Jerue would not discuss the charge against Kivela, but the Detroit Free Press reported Tuesday it was for suspected drunken driving.

Kivela pleaded guilty in December 2015 to drunken driving after his arrest the previous month in Clinton County.

__

3:50 p.m.

A state representative from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has been found dead hours after he was released from jail on what may have been his second drunken driving arrest in less than two years.

Police say John Kivela’s body was found about 1 p.m. Tuesday at a Lansing home and that there are no obvious indications of foul play.

Clinton County Sheriff Lawrence Jerue told The Associated Press that the Marquette Democrat was arrested Monday on southbound U.S. 127 near Maple Rapids. Jerue would not say what charge Kivela faced, but the Detroit Free Press reported he was arrested for suspected drunken driving.

Jerue said Kivela was released Tuesday on bond.

Kivela pleaded guilty in December 2015 to drunken driving after his arrest the previous month in Clinton County.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.