Georgia district attorney found dead with a single gunshot wound

Condolences poured in from across Georgia after the Sumter County district attorney was found dead Sunday afternoon.

Leslie Police Chief Bob Smith was called just after 2:20 p.m. Sunday that a man was dead in the driver's seat of a pickup at 116 E. Allen St., according to a GBI release.

Officers identified him as DA Plez Hardin, 48, and called in the GBI to investigate.

"Preliminary information indicates Mr. Hardin died of a single gunshot wound to the chest. No foul play is suspected," the release stated.

Houston County District Attorney George Hartwig shared WALB-TV's post on Facebook Monday morning, adding that he was "praying for the family, friends and staff of DA Plez Hardin."

Former Montezuma Police Chief Lewis Cazenave also asked for prayers for those who loved and worked with Hardin.

"Plez Hardin was a nice guy and this is so sad and tragic," Cazenave posted on Facebook.

Hardin's body was taken to Macon for an autopsy at the GBI crime lab.

The Southwestern Judicial Circuit includes Sumter, Lee, Macon, Schley, Steward and Webster counties.

This story was originally published April 9, 2018 at 8:46 AM with the headline "Georgia district attorney found dead with a single gunshot wound."