Police in Clarksdale, Mississippi are investigating the apparent murder of an African-American candidate for Mayor.  34-year old Marco McMillian was also openly Gay, making him the first such candidate to seek public office in this corner of America’s Deep South.

Authorities were searching for McMillian after his truck was involved in a head-in collision in the county.  The 22-year old driver of the driver had to be airlifted to a hospital in another state.  After searching they found McMillian’s body was found near a river levee.

McMillian was a consultant who had met President Barack Obama and other notable American politicians, and put the pictures on his business website.  His opponents in the mayoral election were shocked and described him as an articulate, clean-cut young man with a bright future.

Blues music fans know Clarksdale as the location of the infamous “Crossroads” where Robert Johnson legendarily sold his soul to the devil.