On Friday, March 5, around 1:53 pm, first responders were called to the home of  Dr. and Mayor Stothert for a gunshot wound. When officers arrived, they found Dr. Stothert deceased from a self-inflicted wound in the backyard of their home, according to KMTV News. 

Joe and Jean had been married for 40 years and have two children together, as well as three grandchildren. Before Mayor Stothert was elected, they both worked in the medical field as critical care specialists. Dr. Stothert continued this path and became a well-known surgeon at University of Nebraska Medical Center. 

Following his death, several Nebraska politicians offered their condolences, including Governor Pete Rickets, as well as U.S. Senators, Don Bacon and Deb Fischer.  

Family of the deceased has confirmed that Joe Stothert had passed away, but no formal statement regarding the death has been released by Mayor Stothert.