AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Former Georgia state Rep. Ben L. Harbin was found dead of natural causes Wednesday night at a local hotel.

Coroner Mark Bowen said Harbin was pronounced dead at the Fairfield Inn, located at 3023 ½ Washington Road, at 7:12 p.m. on Wednesday.

After his career as a legislator ended over a decade ago, he lived in Atlanta and worked as a lobbyist.

According to friends, he was in Augusta for an event honoring his late daughter.

He attended that but his family couldn’t find him later in the week and checked at the hotel, where he was found dead, friends said.

They said he’d been suffering health issues, and Bowen didn’t label the death as suspicious.

“I am devastated by the loss of my friend, Ben Harbin. Since leaving public service to move to Atlanta as a consultant, I haven’t seen him as much as would have liked. He was in town to honor his daughter at a private memorial. He will be missed by so many. It’s a tragic loss to his family and the community,” said Columbia County Commissioner Trey Allen.

Gov. Brian Kemp said:

“Our entire family is mourning the passing of former state representative and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Ben Harbin. A dedicated public servant, he helped to balance our state budgets and maintain our AAA bond rating during the most difficult financial time in modern history — the Great Recession. We are praying for his family and loved ones in the days and weeks ahead during this time of grieving.”

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