JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is canceling a trip to Cuba following the death of state Auditor Tom Schweich.
Nixon on Friday announced First Lady Georganne Nixon will take his place during the trip to the island country March 1-4.
The governor for weeks had been planning the trip in an attempt to build trade relationships with the communist country.
He canceled the visit days before his scheduled departure following the Thursday death of Schweich in what police say was an apparent suicide.
The first lady's travel costs will be paid for by the Hawthorn Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to promote economic growth in the state.