Luke Letlow Died of COVID
The Claim
Congressional Representative-Elect Luke Letlow has died of COVID-19.
News posted on
Emerging story
Many on social media are reporting that Louisiana congressional representative elect Luke Letlow has died of COVID-19 just days before swearing into office.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar has discovered that the claims are true. Louisiana Congressman-Elect Letlow died on December 29, 2020 from COVID-19. According to NBCnews.com, he was only 41 years old, and died less than a week before the new Congress is to be sworn in on January 3rd. Letlow spokesman Andrew Bautsch confirmed to ktla.com the Congressman-Elect’s death at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport: "The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time," Bautsch said in a statement.
According to the NewYorkPost.com, LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor G.E. Ghali confirmed Letlow underwent an operation related to the virus and later went into cardiac arrest. The Congressman-Elect had first announced that he tested positive for the virus December 18th and was quarantining at home. However, his health began to deteriorate and on December 19th, he was admitted to St. Francis Medical Center, and eventually transferred to Ochsner LSU Health. Dr. Mark Seigel told FoxNews.com that the heart attack is a rare situation related to the virus for someone of Letow’s age. Some on social media are disputing it was COVID-19 related, but Chancellor Ghali confirmed Letlow died of complications related directly to COVID-19.
Letlow is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, in addition to his children, 3-year-old Jeremiah and 11-month-old Jacqueline.
