AMERICUS — Southwestern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Plez Hardin died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

Sumter County Coroner Greg Hancock confirmed late Sunday afternoon that the body of Hardin was found in Leslie about 2:22 p.m. Sunday.

Hardin, age 48, was pronounced dead at 3:05 p.m.

An autopsy was conducted Monday morning at the State Crime Lab in Macon.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 3 Americus Office is handling the investigation. Special Agent in Charge, Danny Jackson said Hardin’s body was found in his truck behind a house at 116 E. Allen St., in Leslie. Jackson said the house, which is currently vacant and owned by someone else, is where Hardin grew up.

Jackson said a family member of the people who were watching the property noticed the truck and when she investigated, found the body of Hardin. Jackson said there is “nothing to indicate foul play or that anyone else is involved.”

Late Monday, Jackson told the Times-Recorder that “preliminary results from the autopsy indicate it was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.” He said that complete autopsy results won’t be available for a few weeks. He said Hardin shot himself sometime between approximately 12:40 and 2:22 p.m.