Judge found dead in Omaha courthouse; no crime suspected

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A judge has been found dead in the Douglas County Courthouse in downtown Omaha.

Authorities say another judge found the body of District Judge Mark Ashford in his chambers around 6 p.m. Wednesday. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says a preliminary investigation found no signs that any crime was involved.

Brother Brad Ashford, a former congressman, says the 66-year-old judge has had heart problems but had been doing better in recent years. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.

Judge Peter Bataillon was a close friend and told the Omaha World-Herald Mark Ashford “had a great demeanor in and out of court. He always wanted to make sure he did the right thing.”