Eleanor Carol Leavell Barr, the wife of Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr, died Tuesday night in the family’s home in Lexington, according to several news reports. She was 39.
The Republican congressman’s office released a brief statement to The Lexington Herald-Leader confirming the news.
“During this tragic time, we respectfully ask for privacy for Congressman Barr and his family to grieve Mrs. Barr being called home to heaven,” Barr’s Chief of Staff Mary Rosado told the paper Tuesday. “Congressman Barr may release a more detailed statement at a later date, but right now is solely focused on being a father to his two beautiful daughters.”
On Wednesday The New York Times reported that Carol “likely” had a massive, fatal brain aneurysm.
The coroner’s office declined to comment to PEOPLE on that but said in a brief statement on Tuesday night that her manner of death was natural and an autopsy was pending.
“At this time of tremendous grief and pain, we ask for prayers for our beautiful, dear and precious Carol, the greatest, most selfless and giving wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend anyone could ever have,” Rep. Barr, 46, said in a statement on Wednesday morning that was released by his office.
Happy Mother’s Day from our family to yours. Today, I’m celebrating my wife Carol, and I hope you’ll join me in celebrating all the amazing moms across KY06. pic.twitter.com/pS9S8xcSwW
— Andy Barr (@barrforcongress) May 10, 2020
Carol grew up in Georgetown, Kentucky, and went on to graduate from the University of Kentucky, according to the Herald-Leader.
There, she majored in communications and information and most recently worked as a health care representative for Pfizer. She previously served as the executive director for the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship in Lexington.
The couple married in 2008 and have two young daughters: Eleanor and Mary Clay.
After news of Carol’s death broke, condolences for the Barr family began pouring in on social media.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he and his wife were “heartbroken” over the news.
“Britainy and I are heartbroken for U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and his family tonight at the sad news of the unexpected passing of the congressman’s wife, Carol. We are praying for the Barr family,” he wrote on Twitter.
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