-
27
Mar -
Autopsies being performed on Schaefer
- With 0 comments
nancy schaefer – Autopsies were performed today on the bodies of former state Sen. Nancy Schaefer and her husband, who were found shot dead Friday afternoon in an apparent murder-suicide at his home in Habersham County.
Sheriff Joey Terrell said this morning that authorities believe they know the shooter was, but wanted to wait until autopsies are performed before releasing this information.
Terrell said the couple’s daughter, who lives in the gated community as the same Schaefers, discovered his body in a room about 5:30 pm Friday. He said a gun was used in the shooting and was found near the bodies.
Several notes were left behind, but Terrell refused to say who wrote them.
While state Sen. Don Thomas of Dalton said this morning that Bruce Schafer believed that he was ill, the sheriff said the couple’s daughter was not aware of any serious illness affecting them.
A prominent conservative Republican, Schaefer, 75, was known as an opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage. He was elected to the state Senate in 2004 and served two terms, but made several unsuccessful bids for public office before that.
State Rep. Rick Austin, whose district includes the county of Habersham, Schaefer announced the death of a packed room house around 7:30 pm Friday and legislators led a moment of silence.
The Hall County legislators, who had worked with Schaefer said they were saddened by the news.
“I was privileged to serve with Nancy for several years in the State Senate and thanked his good heart and desire to serve the people of Georgia as well,” said Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle. “Nita and I will be praying for the whole family Shaefer and ask the Lord to give them the peace that passeth all understanding at this difficult time.”
“The state of Georgia has lost two good people who fear God,” said state Rep. James Mills, R-Chestnut Mountain. “We must all pray for the family.”
Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville, said he served with Schaefer in his first term in the House. Because he served in the adjoining districts, attended meetings often together on White County, he said.
Collins said Schaefer served his district honorably.
“I always thought her to be an honest person, he did what he thought was right,” Collins said. “It’s just a real sad event.”
Schaefer, who has been active in conservative Christian causes for many years, was chairman of family problems, a Christian organization.
She was elected in 2004 after redrawing federal legislative districts created an open seat in District 50. She beat out two Republicans and one Democrat to win the seat.
Before that, Schaefer ran for mayor of Atlanta in 1993, was the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in 1994 and finished third in the Republican race for governor in 1998.
Before seeking reelection in 2008, considered a challenge to Brown for the seat of Congress. Later he decided to run for reelection, but lost the Republican primary to eventual winner Jim Butterworth.
That once had a daily commentary program on WNIV-AM, a Christian radio station in Atlanta, according to his state Senate biography.
He was a former senior vice president of the Baptist Convention of Georgia, a frequent speaker in churches of all denominations, a speaker to civic and political organizations and a frequent guest on radio and local programs and national television.
In 2001, he became the first woman administrator Toccoa Falls College.
She and her husband lived in Atlanta for 35 years before moving to Habersham County.
District 50, which served, including Habersham, Rabun, Towns, Stephens, Banks, Franklin, Hart and some of the counties of Blanco.
Schaefer and her husband had five children and 13 grandchildren.