PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – A former South Dakota lawmaker from Gettysburg has passed away. Pierre police say they were called to an apartment on upper Pierre Street Nov. 11 around 5:15 p.m. to conduct an unattended death investigation. Captain Derald Gross says 40-year-old Justin Cronin was found inside the residence.

Gross says officers found nothing of concern or any signs of foul play. He was living in the Pierre apartment at the time. Cronin had underlying health issues and an autopsy was ordered, which Gross says is routine for someone of his age.

Cronin represented District 23 in the House from 2009 to 2017 and the Senate from 2017 until he resigned in August of 2019 citing health concerns and a desire to spend more time with family. He was replaced by then-Representative John Lake of Miller.

Cronin served as vice-chair of the Government Operations and Audit Committee and a member of both the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Joint Appropriations Committee. Cronin was first elected to the Legislature in 2008.