( CNN ) -- A Mississippi state lawmaker was found dead Sunday at the home of a former colleague , apparently the result of a suicide , a friend close to the victim told CNN on Monday . The victim is Jessica Upshaw , 53 , of Diamondhead , Mississippi . A conservative Republican , she 'd been a member of the state House of Representatives since 2004 and was chair of the House Conservation and Water Resources Committee . The incident occurred in Mendenhall , in Simpson County , located in southern Mississippi . Simpson County Coroner Terry Tutor said she died of a single gunshot wound to the head . He did n't elaborate and would n't say it was a suicide . The friend said she killed herself outside the house of former State Rep. Clint Rotenberry . Rotenberry and Upshaw , both single and divorced for a number of years , had been in a relationship , the friend said . Upshaw had been battling depression for several years and had been taking medication while under a doctor 's care . Describing Upshaw as a fighter , the friend said she had been aggressively battling the depression . The incident shocked and saddened the state . Gov . Phil Bryant called Upshaw a `` unselfish and dedicated public servant . '' `` This is a tragic loss for her family and all Mississippians , '' he said . Mississippi Speaker of the House Philip Gunn described Upshaw as `` an outstanding legislator and friend '' and said `` our hearts break for her family . '' `` She was one of the brightest and most competent members of the House . '' CNN 's Brian Todd reported from Washington . CNN 's Marlena Baldacci and Joe Sterling reported from Atlanta .
" She , a respected state lawmaker , had been battling cancer . A friend said it appears she killed herself . Gov . Phil Bryant called Upshaw a ` ` unselfish and dedicated public servant . ''