On Sunday afternoon, it became clear that politician Christopher Stalford is dead.
He turned 39 years old.
The politician was a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in Northern Ireland.
Stalford was a well-known member of the party and had represented South Belfast in the Northern Ireland Assembly since 2016.
The party mentioned the sad news on their websites.
Died nine months after the man
– A friend
In the statement, the leader of the party, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, writes:
– I am deeply moved to hear of Christopher’s sudden death. He was not just an elected official or a colleague, he was a friend.
He adds:
– On behalf of the party, I express my sympathy to Laura and the Stalford family for the loss of a husband, father, son and brother.
Stalford leaves behind a wife and four children.
The cause of death is not known.
– I talked for a long time with Christopher on Friday night. He was passionate about Northern Ireland and wanted the best for his constituents. I did not understand then how valuable that conversation was, says Donaldson.
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– Shocked and sad
Several from the party have expressed their condolences.
– I have known Christopher since his childhood. His family has been loyal members of the party since it was founded, says Lord Morrow, chairman of the DUP.
He adds:
As a political party, we are shocked and saddened by his death, but most of all we are devastated by Laura, their four young children and Christopher’s family who will feel this loss most strongly.
He asks everyone to mourn the family in the time to come.
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