Brian Joyce, Former Massachusetts State Senator, Found Dead At Home

Former Massachusetts Sen. Brian Joyce was found dead in his Westport home by his wife Thursday afternoon. He was indicted in 2017 for allegedly using his legislative seat for private gain and was awaiting trial on the federal corruption charges.

Gregg Miliote, a spokesman for the Bristol District Attorney’s office, said no foul play is suspected in the death at this time. He added the investigation remains “active and ongoing.”

The body is now in custody of the office of the state's chief medical examiner, who will conduct an autopsy in the coming days. No further details are available now.

Boston 25 News reported that Joyce was involved in a car accident in Westport on Wednesday. His neighbors too were aware of a medical emergency going on next door, however, they weren't sure about who was involved.

Bill Morrison, a neighbor, said, "The ambulance went away and suddenly we have two more medical vehicles coming and a policeman taking pictures and all that kind of stuff, so we knew probably somebody died.”

Officials confirmed that the accident will be part of their overall investigation.

“I’ve just learned of the sudden death of former Senator Brian Joyce. As authorities handle the appropriate investigations, my thoughts are with his family,” said Senate President Karen Spilka in a statement issued Thursday.

U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling too extended his condolences, saying, “We extend our condolences to Mr. Joyce’s family and friends as they grieve his passing. We will not have any further comment during this difficult time.”

Joyce, 56, was first elected to his Senate seat in 1998. After nine terms in the legislature, he left the Senate after not seeking re-election in 2016. This was days after his law offices were raided by federal law enforcement post allegations that he improperly used campaign funds.

In December 2017, he was named in a 113-count indictment charging him with racketeering, extortion, wire fraud and money laundering. According to the prosecutors, he accepted up to $1 million in bribes and kickbacks in exchange for helping his legal clients while disguising the money as legal fees and laundering it through his law office.

Then-acting U.S. Attorney William Weinreb had said he violated his duty to his constituents ‘‘by accepting bribes and kickbacks in exchange for his official action.’’

In a Boston Globe report in May 2015, Joyce admitted to having used about $3,400 in campaign funds for his son’s high school graduation party in 2014, however, he said he paid a fine for it.

In January 2016, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker had called for an investigation after reports emerged that Joyce received free dry cleaning from a business in his district for more than a decade.

His attorney, Howard Cooper, always maintained that Joyce was innocent of all the charges against him. Cooper refused to comment on the death Thursday and stated that Joyce’s family want their privacy be respected during a difficult time, Boston.com reported.

Joyce had moved to Westport from Milton after his political career came to an end.