Within hours of the one-month anniversary of his boss' death, state Auditor spokesman Robert "Spence" Jackson, 44, apparently took his own life this weekend.
"I cannot confirm the cause of death until results from the autopsy are official," Capt. Doug Shoemaker, the Jefferson City police spokesman, told reporters at a Monday morning news conference. "We do have a note.
"I won't go into the contents of that note, as it is part of the investigation at this time."
Jackson's body was found in his Southwest Boulevard apartment about 7 p.m. Sunday, after Jackson's mother asked police to check on him.
"The property manager was able to provide a key to responding officers, who entered the residence and located Jackson in his bedroom," Shoemaker said. "Initial assessment of the scene indicated that Jackson died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, but Jefferson City police detectives were called to the scene to investigate, regardless."
Jackson was Auditor Tom Schweich's spokesman since 2011.
Schweich died Feb. 26 at his home in Clayton, from what police believe was a suicide.
Jackson had continued working for the auditor's office after Schweich's death, but had told a reporter he was having trouble understanding the auditor's death.
The Boone County Medical Examiner's office did an autopsy on Jackson's body Monday, under a standing agreement with Cole County. Shoemaker didn't know how quickly the autopsy results would be available.
Although Jackson's body was found Sunday night, and "the exact time of death - or, at least, a time frame of the death - will be determined by the autopsy results," Shoemaker said, "we believe most likely it occurred early in the weekend, most likely Friday or, possibly, into Saturday."
The last known contact anyone had with Jackson was Friday, Shoemaker said, and police would welcome any information the public could provide that would help determine a timeline.
Police can be reached at 634-6400, and callers should ask for Detective Lt. Steve Weaver, who's heading the investigation.
Even though police believe Jackson killed himself, they're doing a thorough investigation, Shoemaker said.
"We have taken a number of items of evidentiary value from his residence," he said. "We will take as long as we need, to do" the investigation. "We're not on any time frame.
"We're very methodical ... and I don't want to speed things up just simply for a need-to-know kind of thing."
No one reported hearing a gunshot, Shoemaker said.
"It depends on the time of day when this occurred," he explained. "For example, during the daylight hours, there might not have been anybody within the apartments who could have heard it. ...
"There are a number of things that could be factors - and we don't know them, yet."
Whether Schweich's Feb. 26 suicide is connected with Jackson's death this weekend is unknown, he said.
"We are very aware of the political issues that are alleged with Mr. Schweich's death," Shoemaker explained, "but our agency won't comment - or, really, entertain questions - that might link Mr. Jackson to any type of political issue, whether it's perceived or real."
Just minutes before Schweich's death a month ago, Schweich had told an Associated Press reporter that he wanted to go public with allegations that John Hancock, chairman of the Missouri Republican Party, had been telling people last year that Schweich was Jewish.
Schweich was an Episcopalian Christian, but his grandfather was Jewish - and the auditor said he perceived the remarks to be part of an anti-Semitic whispering campaign against him as he mounted a campaign for the governor's office in 2016.
After Schweich's March 3 funeral, Jackson was among the first to suggest that Hancock resign his party leadership post.
Hancock has denied making anti-Semitic remarks - though he has said it's possible he might have told some people that Schweich was Jewish because he mistakenly believed that to be true.
Schweich supporters have argued that Hancock, a political consultant who worked for Schweich's 2010 race for auditor, should have known better.
But Hancock remains GOP chairman, and there's been no formal effort among the party's 68-member state committee to remove him.
Shoemaker said officers found "no signs of forced entry nor any signs of a struggle" in Jackson's apartment.
A .357 Magnum revolver was found near Jackson's body, and police recovered "one spent round," but Shoemaker declined to provide details of Jackson's fatal wound.
Family members said Jackson didn't own a gun and had not used one. Shoemaker said ownership of the gun had not been established.
Jackson previously had worked as Matt Blunt's spokesman in Blunt's 2000 campaign for secretary of state and the 2004 campaign for governor, then became the official spokesman for the office.
In 2006, Blunt moved Jackson to the state Economic Development department.
When Blunt chose not to seek re-election in 2008, Jackson served as campaign spokesman for Sarah Steelman's unsuccessful 2008 gubernatorial bid.
In a statement Monday morning, Blunt said: "Melanie and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Spence Jackson who was a good friend for many years.
"Spence was a gifted communicator who dedicated his talents in public affairs to public service. ... Spence was hard-working, well-liked and quick-witted. He will truly be missed."
Current Auditor John Watson added, in a statement: "Mr. Jackson was a respected spokesman for the auditor's office and long-time servant in state government.
"The work of the Missouri auditor's office will continue in this difficult time, but no doubt it will be with heavy heart."
David Luther, former Jefferson City Public Schools spokesman, has agreed to serve as the auditor's interim communications director.
The Associated Press contributed information used in this story.