This statement was issued tonight by the Kaua'i Mayor's Office:

Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste passed away today. Paramedics were called to his home where they attempted to resuscitate him following an apparent cardiac arrest. The mayor was transported to Wilcox Hospital, where he was pronounced dead late this afternoon.

The mayor had heart bypass surgery on June 13 at Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu. He was released from Queen's on June 20 and had returned to Kaua'i on the evening of June 21. He was resting comfortably at home when the incident occurred.

The mayor's administrative assistant, Gary Heu, is serving as mayor pro-tem, and has been in contact with Kaua'i's elected officials. He will meet with county officials on Monday to determine the appropriate course of action in accordance with the county charter.

Mayor Baptiste was 52 years old. He leaves wife Annette and four children: Brandon, Heather, Lauren and Preston.

No further information will be released this evening. The mayor's family requests privacy during this difficult time.