Eric Zahnd, the prosecutor for Platte County in Missouri, died by suicide inside the county courthouse on Thursday afternoon. His death prompted authorities to seal the building and close it for investigation. Zahnd had served as the county's prosecuting attorney for 24 years since 2002, making him the longest-serving prosecutor in the county's history, and was named Missouri's Prosecutor of the Year in 2014.

Zahnd, aged 53, had announced in April that he planned to step down at the end of the year. He was widely regarded for his work on criminal justice matters, notably championing Jessica's Law, which mandated life sentences for child rapists, and implementing mandatory sentencing for convicted internet predators. He is survived by his wife Tracy and two sons, Benjamin and Luke. The courthouse remained closed on Friday and was expected to reopen on Monday. Colleagues in law enforcement issued tributes to his dedication and character, though authorities have provided no further details about his death.