both additional physical evidence, such as the pattern of blood spatters indicating the fatal wound was self-inflicted, and investigation of possible motives. According to the investigation, Washington had lost hundreds of thousands of dollars from his retirement account in gambling, owed about $50,000 to the IRS, and had been sleepless and depressed in the weeks leading up to his death. The Calcasieu Parish District Attorney John DeRosier officially closed the investigation on March 29, 2007, concluding that Washington had committed suicide. The family acknowledged facts of financial and other issues, but contended that Washington was strongly Roman Catholic and would not have committed suicide. They had made arrangements for a third autopsy of Washington's body. They found suspicious the fact that the fire department had been called in to wash his truck off the night his body was found. References "Washington's Family On Standby For Answers", KCPL-TV External links "National Conference of Black Mayors, Inc. (NCBM) Calling on Louisiana State and Federal Officials to Conduct Thorough Investigation into Shooting Death of Mayor Elect" - Press Release, 18 January 2007 1949 births 2006 deaths Mayors of places in Louisiana African-American mayors in Louisiana Suicides by firearm in Louisiana American politicians who committed suicide People from Westlake, Louisiana 20th-century American politicians 20th-century African-American politicians 21st-century African-American people