Shock in New Orleans: Deputy DA Specialist in sexual assault cases dies by apparent suicide in his office

A deputy district attorney for a parish in New Orleans, who specialized in sexual assault cases, was found dead in his office after an apparent suicide.

Ian Kersting, 34, was found Saturday night in the District Attorney's Office building on South White Street with a gunshot wound that authorities believe was self-inflicted. Police located his body around 9:00 p.m. and confirmed his death at the scene.

The New Orleans District Attorney's Office expressed deep shock and sadness following the passing of Ian Kersting, calling him a "beloved member" of the institution in an official statement.

"We send our love and deepest condolences to his family. It’s important that we support each other right now," the statement said, while asking the media to respect the privacy of those affected.

Kersting played a key role in a program dedicated to reviewing and following up on sexual assault cases that had lagged due to the lack of analysis of previously collected DNA evidence. His outstanding work was recognized in the past for a case that resulted in a guilty verdict for attempted rape and indecent conduct with a minor.

Investigations into this case continue as New Orleans mourns the loss of one of its public servants.

Uncertainty in New Orleans

Kersting's death comes against a backdrop of tension for the city, which just days earlier had been rocked by a terrorist attack on New Year's Day. The attack, carried out by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, left 14 people dead and dozens injured on Bourbon Street. Jabbar, an Army veteran, used a rented pickup truck to run down a crowd.