Coroner: Heart condition caused state senator’s death

A Washington state senator found dead in his hotel room Friday died of heart failure – the result of a previously undiagnosed enlarged heart. That’s the finding of an autopsy this weekend.

Democrat Scott White was 41 years old. A public memorial is planned possibly later this week.

White was a lean, youthful looking lawmaker from North Seattle. He’d served one term in the state House before getting elected to the Senate last year. He was known for his work on transportation and already held legislative leadership posts.

White was found dead Friday afternoon in his room at Suncadia Resort near Cle Elum in Central Washington. He had been attending a conference. White’s friend and campaign consultant Christian Sinderman, who had dinner with White the night of his death, says Washington Democrats have lost a piece of their future.

“And the sky was the limit for Scott," Sinderman says. "He was often mentioned as a potential congressional candidate, as a potential majority leader in the state senate, even for statewide office and we were just beginning to see what he was capable of.”

White leaves behind a wife, Alison, and two young children. Democrats plan to name a replacement to his seat in time for the legislative special session scheduled for late November.

Copyright 2011 Northwest News Network