Democratic Former Sen. Kay Hagan Dies

Former U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) died Monday, according to multiple reports. She was 66.

“We are heartbroken to share that Kay left us unexpectedly this morning,” her family said in a statement, according to The Charlotte Observer.

“Kay meant everything to us, and we were honored to share her with the people of North Carolina whom she cared for and fought for so passionately as an elected official,” the family said. “Most of all, we already miss her humor and spirit as the hub of our family, a role she loved more than anything. Nobody could light up a room and make people feel welcome like Kay.”

Hagan became the second woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate from North Carolina in 2008 but then lost the seat in 2014 to the state’s then-House Speaker Thom Tillis (R). She had previously worked as a lawyer and a banker.

Former North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan in 2016. (Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan in 2016. (Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The former senator was diagnosed with encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, in 2016 and hospitalized for six months. Her condition was later reported to have been caused by Powassan virus, which is spread by ticks from animals to humans.

This past June, Hagan made a rare public appearance for the groundbreaking ceremony of a new air traffic control tower at Piedmont Triad International Airport near her hometown of Greensboro. She was seated in a wheelchair and did not speak publicly, although she exchanged private greetings with some of the attendees.

“Kay’s ability to speak is limited, but her comprehension is very good,” her husband, Chip Hagan, told The News & Record later that day. “She still has a great deal of difficulty in standing and walking.”

Powassan virus is spread to humans by ticks that have fed on groundhogs, squirrels, mice or other rodents carrying the virus in their blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms can take up to a month to develop and can include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness. Many people have no symptoms.

But those with a more severe form of the virus, the CDC says, can exhibit confusion, loss of coordination, trouble speaking and seizures. Roughly 1 out of 10 people who develop a severe disease from Powassan virus die. And among those who survive, roughly half have long-term health problems including headaches, memory problems and loss of muscle mass and strength, the CDC says.

Although the overall number of reported cases of Powassan virus remains small, it has surged over the last 18 years, according to a 2017 article in Frontiers in Public Health. There were just 27 reported cases from 1958 to 1998, but then 98 cases were reported from 1999 to 2016.

Researchers attribute this increase, at least in part, to a rise in tick populations due to climate change.

Also on HuffPost

Joseph Wilson

Joseph C. Wilson, the long-serving American diplomat who undercut President George W. Bush’s claim in 2003 that Iraq had been trying to build nuclear weapons, leading to the unmasking of his wife at the time, Valerie Plame, as a CIA agent, died on September 27, 2019 at 69.
Joseph C. Wilson, the long-serving American diplomat who undercut President George W. Bush’s claim in 2003 that Iraq had been trying to build nuclear weapons, leading to the unmasking of his wife at the time, Valerie Plame, as a CIA agent, died on September 27, 2019 at 69.

Cokie Roberts

Cokie Roberts, a journalist and political commentator who became one of the most prominent Washington broadcasters of her era and championed young women in media during a long career at NPR and ABC News, died Sept. 17, 2019 at 75. 
Cokie Roberts, a journalist and political commentator who became one of the most prominent Washington broadcasters of her era and championed young women in media during a long career at NPR and ABC News, died Sept. 17, 2019 at 75. 

Ric Ocasek

Singer/songwriter Ric Ocasek, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the new wave band The Cars, died on September 15, 2019. He was 75.
Singer/songwriter Ric Ocasek, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the new wave band The Cars, died on September 15, 2019. He was 75.

Eddie Money

Eddie Money, the prolific singer and songwriter whose songs “Baby Hold On,” “Two Tickets to Paradise,” “Shakin’” and “Take Me Home Tonight”  soundtracked popular music in the 1980s, died on September 13, 2019. He was 70.
Eddie Money, the prolific singer and songwriter whose songs “Baby Hold On,” “Two Tickets to Paradise,” “Shakin’” and “Take Me Home Tonight”  soundtracked popular music in the 1980s, died on September 13, 2019. He was 70.

Valerie Harper

Sitcom star Valerie Harper, who was best known for playing Rhoda Morgenstern on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and its spinoff "Rhoda," died on Aug. 30, 2019. She was 80.
Sitcom star Valerie Harper, who was best known for playing Rhoda Morgenstern on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and its spinoff "Rhoda," died on Aug. 30, 2019. She was 80.

David Koch

David Koch, the billionaire industrialist who, along with his brother Charles, helped fund a vast conservative and libertarian political operation, died on Aug. 23, 2019. He was 79 years old.
David Koch, the billionaire industrialist who, along with his brother Charles, helped fund a vast conservative and libertarian political operation, died on Aug. 23, 2019. He was 79 years old.

Peter Fonda

Actor Peter Fonda, the son of a Hollywood legend who became a movie star in his own right after both writing and starring in the counter-culture classic “Easy Rider,” died on Aug. 16, 2019. He was 79.
Actor Peter Fonda, the son of a Hollywood legend who became a movie star in his own right after both writing and starring in the counter-culture classic “Easy Rider,” died on Aug. 16, 2019. He was 79.

Toni Morrison

The trailblazing author Toni Morrison, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, died on August 5, 2019 at the age of 88.
The trailblazing author Toni Morrison, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, died on August 5, 2019 at the age of 88.

Harold Prince

Harold Prince, a Broadway director and producer who pushed the boundaries of musical theater with such groundbreaking shows as “The Phantom of the Opera,” ″Cabaret,” ″Company” and “Sweeney Todd” and won a staggering 21 Tony Awards, died on July 31, 2019. Prince was 91.
Harold Prince, a Broadway director and producer who pushed the boundaries of musical theater with such groundbreaking shows as “The Phantom of the Opera,” ″Cabaret,” ″Company” and “Sweeney Todd” and won a staggering 21 Tony Awards, died on July 31, 2019. Prince was 91.

Chris Kraft

Chris Kraft, who created NASA’s Mission Control and made split-second white-knuckle decisions from the first daring Mercury mission to the triumphant moon landings, died on July 22, 2019. He was 95.
Chris Kraft, who created NASA’s Mission Control and made split-second white-knuckle decisions from the first daring Mercury mission to the triumphant moon landings, died on July 22, 2019. He was 95.

John Paul Stevens

John Paul Stevens, a moderate Republican and former antitrust lawyer from Chicago who evolved into a savvy and sometimes passionate leader of the Supreme Court’s liberal wing and became the third- longest-serving justice on the court before he retired in 2010, died on July 16, 2019. He was 99.
John Paul Stevens, a moderate Republican and former antitrust lawyer from Chicago who evolved into a savvy and sometimes passionate leader of the Supreme Court’s liberal wing and became the third- longest-serving justice on the court before he retired in 2010, died on July 16, 2019. He was 99.

Rip Torn

Rip Torn, the tenacious, temperamental Texan whose much-admired career was highlighted by his brilliant turn as Artie the producer on HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show," died on July 9, 2019. He was 88. 
Rip Torn, the tenacious, temperamental Texan whose much-admired career was highlighted by his brilliant turn as Artie the producer on HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show," died on July 9, 2019. He was 88. 

Lee Iacocca

Lee Iacocca, who served as the president of Ford Motor Company and later became CEO of Chrysler, died on July 2, 2019. He was 94.
Lee Iacocca, who served as the president of Ford Motor Company and later became CEO of Chrysler, died on July 2, 2019. He was 94.

Tyler Skaggs

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died on July 1, 2019. He was 27.
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died on July 1, 2019. He was 27.

Judith Krantz

Bestselling romance novelist Judith Krantz, who sold more than 85 million books, died on June 22, 2019 at the age of 91. 
Bestselling romance novelist Judith Krantz, who sold more than 85 million books, died on June 22, 2019 at the age of 91. 

Franco Zeffirelli

Franco Zeffirelli, whose opulent set designs and sweeping directorial style bolstered operatic films, religious epics and Shakespearean love stories, died on June 15, 2019. He was 96.
Franco Zeffirelli, whose opulent set designs and sweeping directorial style bolstered operatic films, religious epics and Shakespearean love stories, died on June 15, 2019. He was 96.

Leah Chase

Legendary New Orleans chef Leah Chase, who fed generations of New Orleanians and tourists alike at Dooky Chase’s restaurant, died on June 1, 2019. She was 96.
Legendary New Orleans chef Leah Chase, who fed generations of New Orleanians and tourists alike at Dooky Chase’s restaurant, died on June 1, 2019. She was 96.

Thad Cochran

Navy veteran and former Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) died on May 30, 2019 at the age of 81.
Navy veteran and former Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) died on May 30, 2019 at the age of 81.

Herman Wouk

Herman Wouk, whose taut shipboard drama “The Caine Mutiny” lifted him to the top of the best-seller lists, where he remained for most of a career that extended past his 100th year thanks to page-turners like “Marjorie Morningstar,” “Youngblood Hawke” and the World War II epics “The Winds of War” and “War and Remembrance,” died on May 18, 2019. He was 103.

I.M. Pei

I.M. Pei, the Chinese American architect who designed the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the JFK Library in Boston, died on May 16, 2019 at 102. 
I.M. Pei, the Chinese American architect who designed the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the JFK Library in Boston, died on May 16, 2019 at 102. 

Tim Conway

Tim Conway, the comedian’s comedian best known for his work on “The Carol Burnett Show,” died on May 14, 2019. He was 85.
Tim Conway, the comedian’s comedian best known for his work on “The Carol Burnett Show,” died on May 14, 2019. He was 85.

Doris Day

Doris Day, a singer and actress who personified wholesome American womanhood in the 1950s and 1960s, died on May 13, 2019. She was 97.
Doris Day, a singer and actress who personified wholesome American womanhood in the 1950s and 1960s, died on May 13, 2019. She was 97.

Jim Fowler

Jim Fowler, who co-hosted Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom" with Marlin Perkins and was a frequent guest on "The Tonight Show," died on May 8, 2019. He was 89.
Jim Fowler, who co-hosted Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom" with Marlin Perkins and was a frequent guest on "The Tonight Show," died on May 8, 2019. He was 89.

Peter Mayhew

Actor Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in the "Star Wars" series, died April 30, 2019 at the age of 74.
Actor Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in the "Star Wars" series, died April 30, 2019 at the age of 74.

John Singleton

John Singleton, 51, whose powerful debut film, “Boyz N the Hood,” earned him an Oscar nomination for best director, the first for an African-American, died on April 29, 2019.
John Singleton, 51, whose powerful debut film, “Boyz N the Hood,” earned him an Oscar nomination for best director, the first for an African-American, died on April 29, 2019.

Richard G. Lugar

Richard G. Lugar, a six-term senator from Indiana who became one of the foremost voices on U.S. foreign policy, died on April 28, 2019. He was 87.
Richard G. Lugar, a six-term senator from Indiana who became one of the foremost voices on U.S. foreign policy, died on April 28, 2019. He was 87.

Nipsey Hussle

Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed on March 31, 2019. He was 33.
Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed on March 31, 2019. He was 33.

Birch Bayh

Former Sen. Birch Bayh (D-Ind.), who pushed for the landmark 1972 federal law banning discrimination against women in college admissions and athletics, died on March 14, 2019. He was 91.
Former Sen. Birch Bayh (D-Ind.), who pushed for the landmark 1972 federal law banning discrimination against women in college admissions and athletics, died on March 14, 2019. He was 91.

Hal Blaine

Drummer Hal Blaine, who propelled dozens of major hit records during the ‘60s and ‘70s as a member of the “Wrecking Crew,” Hollywood’s elite, ubiquitous cadre of first-call studio musicians, died on March 11, 2019. He was 90.
Drummer Hal Blaine, who propelled dozens of major hit records during the ‘60s and ‘70s as a member of the “Wrecking Crew,” Hollywood’s elite, ubiquitous cadre of first-call studio musicians, died on March 11, 2019. He was 90.

Luke Perry,

Luke Perry, who burst onto the TV scene and countless fan-magazine covers in 1990 as one of the core cast members of the hit show “Beverly Hills, 90210,” then went on to a busy career in television and film that included, most recently, the CW series “Riverdale,” died on March 4, 2019 at the age of 52.
Luke Perry, who burst onto the TV scene and countless fan-magazine covers in 1990 as one of the core cast members of the hit show “Beverly Hills, 90210,” then went on to a busy career in television and film that included, most recently, the CW series “Riverdale,” died on March 4, 2019 at the age of 52.

André Previn

André Previn, 89, a composer of Oscar-winning film music, conductor, pianist and music director of major orchestras, died on February 28, 2019.
André Previn, 89, a composer of Oscar-winning film music, conductor, pianist and music director of major orchestras, died on February 28, 2019.

Katherine Helmond

Katherine Helmond, who received seven Emmy Award nominations for her varied roles in television comedies, including “Soap” and “Who’s the Boss?,” died Feb. 23, 2019 at her home in Los Angeles. She was 89.
Katherine Helmond, who received seven Emmy Award nominations for her varied roles in television comedies, including “Soap” and “Who’s the Boss?,” died Feb. 23, 2019 at her home in Los Angeles. She was 89.

Peter Tork

Peter Tork of the Monkees died Feb. 21 at the age of 77.
Peter Tork of the Monkees died Feb. 21 at the age of 77.

Don Newcombe

Former MLB MVP Don Newcombe died on Feb. 19, 2019. He was 92.
Former MLB MVP Don Newcombe died on Feb. 19, 2019. He was 92.

Lyndon LaRouche Jr.

Lyndon LaRouche Jr., the political extremist who ran for president in every election from 1976 to 2004, including a campaign waged from federal prison, died on Feb. 12, 2019. He was 96.
Lyndon LaRouche Jr., the political extremist who ran for president in every election from 1976 to 2004, including a campaign waged from federal prison, died on Feb. 12, 2019. He was 96.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.