Former state Sen. Robert Brown, 61, was found dead Thursday afternoon of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones said.

Authorities were at the scene of Brown’s Briarcliff Road home late Thursday afternoon after a friend, Dave Oedel, visited the home earlier in the day and was unable to get an answer at the door.

Oedel, a friend of Brown's and Mercer University law school professor, said Brown's family members had called him when they had not heard from Brown in a couple of days. Oedel went to Brown's home, found Brown's car in the driveway and found the doors to Brown's home locked.

He said he called Brown's relatives back and notified police.

Donald Crawford, another friend of Brown's, said he saw Brown Tuesday at the H&H Restaurant. Brown told him that he had been "a little sick" lately, but that he finished his breakfast.

Brown lost a bid for mayor this past summer after resigning from his state Senate post.

For more on this developing story, check back at macon.com.