Tim Davlin Dead

Mayor Tim Davlin

Tim Davlin, Springfield Illinois Mayor was found dead in his home early Tuesday. 

It is very difficult to ascertain the exact cause of death as the investigation is in its infancy. However, as per the police, the cause most likely is suicide.

Police Chief Robert Williams said officers responded to a 911 call shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday at Timothy Davlin's home and found the 53-year-old Democratic mayor dead.

Williams declined to immediately offer details about how Davlin died, saying the investigation was in its infancy and has been turned over to the Illinois State Police, which also deferred specifics about the matter. "The situation is very dynamic and evolving as we go,'' Williams told reporters. "That's all I'm at liberty to state at this time.''

The ‘State Journal-Register’ reports that Davlin failed to appear in court Tuesday morning regarding an estate case involving his late cousin. He instead was found dead in his home, reportedly of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

 Davlin, who was 53, owes the federal government nearly $90,000 in unpaid income taxes and liens have reportedly been filed against his home, according to the Associated Press.

Tim Davlin has been the mayor of Springfield since 2003, his death was a surprise to his followers, even as the events unfolded regarding his financial misconduct.

Davlin was a political novice when elected in 2003, having been an insurance and investment broker after graduating from a local high school and getting an associate degree from Springfield College before attending what now is the University of Illinois at Springfield.

As mayor, Davlin welcomed the 2005 opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and helped guide the city less than a year later through the aftermath of a tornado, marshaling hundreds of workers and thousands of volunteers in the cleanup effort.

In his biography posted on the city's website, Davlin lists among his credits his creation of an education liaison tasked with working with local schools, his stumping for a student-driven recycling program, and his formation of a task force on homelessness.