Frederick Wayne Hutchins Jr., who leaded Sen. James Webb’s Roanoke office, was found dead this morning at the side of a highway in Botetourt County, the Virginia Democrat’s office informed FOX News on Wednesday.

Frederick Hutchins, aged 26, had been operating in several Democratic political campaigns and he used to assist Del. Onzlee Ware before leaving in order to work for James Webb.

As reported by the Washington Post, Ronnie N. Sprinkle, the Botetourt County sheriff, said in a statement that his officers came across Hutchins’ body at approximately 7 a.m. on an embankment near an automobile parked on the shoulder of southbound US 220 close to Fincastle.

Ronnie Sprinkle reported that Hutchins seemed to have been shot only once, as he had a single visible injury in his head. Moreover, authorities also found a gun at the scene. According to media reports, local police had released a verdict on the cause of his death in anticipation of the results of an autopsy. The Office of the Medical Examiner is due to examine the body in order to establish the time and cause of death.

“I am terribly saddened by the tragic and sudden death of Fred Hutchins, who diligently managed our Roanoke Senate office,” Webb expressed his regret in a statement. He added that Frederick Hutchins was one of the most respectable and sociable people he had known. “He was a mainstay in the Roanoke community and a friend to all who knew him,” he said, as quoted by the Washington Post.