What began as a political scandal during a contentious primary election has turned into a tragedy. One of the men at the center of the scandal, Mark Mayfield, committed suicide today at his home.

The scandal began a month or so ago, when members of Chris McDaniel's campaign tried to take photographs of his opponent's invalid wife in her nursing home. McDaniel was the Tea Party challenger to Republican incumbent Sen. Thad Cochran.

Mayfield, the vice chairman of the Mississippi Tea Party, along with Richard Sagar, an elementary school teacher, and John Beachman Mary, were arrested after they allegedly conspired to obtain photographs of Cochran's sick wife and use them in a political ad.

At around 9:03 a.m. Friday, Mayfield's wife called 911 and told police her husband had unexpectedly shot himself. Mayfield was well-known within local and statewide political circles, and his suicide shocked the community.

"I'm totally shocked," said Merrida "Buddy" Coxwell, Mayfield's attorney. "You couldn't find a nicer man."

Mayfield was charged with felony conspiracy for allegedly planning to break into Rose Cochran's room for political reasons. Regardless, state politicians have expressed their sadness over what happened.

"Deborah and I are saddened to hear of the loss of Mark Mayfield. He was a longtime friend, and he will be missed. Our prayers go out to his family in this tragic moment," said Mississippi's Republican governor, Phil Bryant.

Some of Mayfield's friends said he had become depressed after he was arrested, taking down his Facebook page and not discussing the case over the phone, according to the New York Times. Mayfield believed his calls were being monitored.

"Here's a guy who has a great life, is well-respected and liked by everybody, and all of the sudden, his life changed dramatically," said Tupelo Tea Party leader Grant Sowell. "Everyone assumed he was guilty."