
Chen Baifeng, deputy mayor of Weifang in east China's Shandong province, was found dead near his residence on Thursday, June 5, 2014. [File Photo: Agencies]
Chen Baifeng, deputy mayor of Weifang in east China's Shandong province, was found dead near his residence on Thursday morning.
Police believed Chen committed suicide by hanging after preliminary investigations.
Chen had been suffering from depression for years, according to his family.
Chen was born in 1959 and took office as deputy mayor of Weifang in 2008. He was also a member of the local standing committee.
More than 50 officials in China have died of unnatural causes since 2013, among which suicide accounts for more than 40 percent. Depression is allegedly the most common cause for suicide. |