WASHINGTON (AP) — Antonin Scalia, the influential conservative and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79.
The U.S. Marshal’s Service in Washington confirmed Scalia’s death at a private residence in the Big Bend area of South Texas.
The service’s spokeswoman, Donna Sellers, says Scalia had retired for the evening and was found dead Saturday morning, February 13, 2016 when he did not appear for breakfast.
Scalia was nominated as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by President Reagan; Scalia took his seat in September 26, 1986, according to the Supreme Court’s website.
“While our opinions on the law and jurisprudence were frequently at odds, he was steadfast and true to his beliefs during his tenure,” said Illinois Senator Dick Durbin. “My thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbot released the following statement:
“Justice Antonin Scalia was a man of God, a patriot, and an unwavering defender of the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. He was the solid rock who turned away so many attempts to depart from and distort the Constitution. His fierce loyalty to the Constitution set an unmatched example, not just for judges and lawyers, but for all Americans. We mourn his passing, and we pray that his successor on the Supreme Court will take his place as a champion for the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. Cecilia and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, and we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.”
