Jason Cantrell, the husband of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, has died, the city announced Monday (Aug. 14). He was 55.

"He was a devoted husband and father, as well as a dedicated public servant who valiantly served the residents of this city not only alongside Mayor Cantrell but also as an experienced family, civil and criminal attorney,” the statement read, also sending condolences to the mayor and their daughter RayAnn and asking the public to “please respect their privacy during this challenging time.”

The statement did not provide a time or cause of death. However, people close to Jason Cantrell said he had health problems in recent years, NOLA.com reported.

Jason Cantrell was a former public defender who also worked in private legal practice, specializing in criminal defense, civil and family law, as well as serving in the city attorney’s office prior to his wife becoming mayor, the Associated Press reports.

He was well-connected in New Orleans political circles through his father, Harry Cantrell, a retired Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Magistrate Judge.

New Orleans City Council President Jean-Paul "JP" Morrell released a statement calling Jason Cantrell “a mentor” who cared deeply about “serving the underrepresented in our criminal justice system.”