Marco McMillian was posed to be Mississippi’s first openly-gay elected official. The 34-year-old non-profit consultant, scholar and public servant announced his mayoral bid last month; he had extensive dreams for his native Clarksdale, Miss.

All of this ambition screeched to a shocking halt this week. McMillian was found dead near a levee between Sherard and Rena Lara, Miss., according to the Coahama County coroner. His SUV collided with another vehicle on U.S. Highway 49 Tuesday morning, but McMillian wasn’t in the car when authorities arrived. His body was located more than a dozen miles from the accident, leading law enforcement to believe he was murdered.

Authorities are investigating McMillian’s death as a homicide and have pinpointed a person of interest. That person’s name hasn’t been released and further details are scarce.

McMillian’s campaign’s Facebook page is full of condolences from Clarksville residents and close friends. The last update of that page reads, “We remember Marco as a bold and passionate public servant, whose faith informed every aspect of his life.”