RUFUS – Following the death of Senator and Senate Minority Leader Larry Cofelt yesterday morning, the Rufus County Coroner’s Office announced that they have found the cause of his death at 78 years old.

According to the Coroner’s office, Chief Medical Examiner Stacey Olsen, said that Cofelt had unusual bruising around the his lungs and upper chest wall. The official report states that a bad fall resulted in the 78-year-old’s death and that no lung disease was a factor.

“From what we saw, Sen. Cofelt died from brunt force injuries to his upper chest and evidence from his home suggests that he fell very hard,” said Medical Examiner Olsen. “From what we gathered at the scene, it looks like he did attempt to stop his fall and he grabbed onto something to balance himself but unfortunately fell hard. We also looked at his brain for any signs of brain injury and found several clots within his brain which signify that he had hit his head with slight swelling of the frontal lobe present.”

His death certificate has certified his death cause as Accidental Fall Resulting In Chest And Cerebral Trauma Leading To Fatality. His family said that he will lay in repose at the Capitol as per his right as a “Federal Official.”

President Laylin ordered flags to half-staff yesterday and issued that flags would remain at half-staff until Sunday, August 2, 2026. In a rare show of bipartisanship President Laylin officially released the following statement.

“Larry Cofelt served our nation honorably for the last 15+ years,” said President Laylin in his statement. “We may not have agreed on everything but we knew how to work together to deliver for the Jesstopian people. My hope is that the Cofelt family can heal from this incredible loss. Party aside, Larry was a husband, father, grandfather and beloved brother. May he rest in peace.”