Orleans Parish DA’s Office Mourns Alleged Suicide Of Assistant Prosecutor

Ian Kersting, a 34-year-old assistant district attorney, died over the weekend in what authorities have called an apparent suicide. The tragedy occurred Saturday night inside the Orleans Parish DA’s office on South White Street.

Responding to a call at 9 p.m., emergency personnel found Kersting with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. In a statement, the DA’s office described the loss as a “terrible tragedy” and requested privacy for those affected.

Kersting specialized in prosecuting cold-case sexual assaults as part of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) and was known for his success in securing convictions. His work included two major cases earlier this year involving child sexual abuse, both of which resulted in guilty verdicts.

The tragedy struck just days after the city endured a New Year’s Eve terror attack. Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring dozens more. Federal authorities identified Jabbar as an ISIS supporter through evidence found in his vehicle.

The DA’s office closed Monday to provide grief counseling to staff, commending Kersting for his dedication to justice and his commitment to the community. Normal operations are expected to resume Tuesday.

Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding Kersting’s death, but no additional details have been released.

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