City leaders saddened over death of councilman

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PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker called a news conference Saturday afternoon.

He and acting city council chair James Bennett spoke for the first time since the news of John Bryan's death.

The city leaders didn't take any questions and just made brief statements regarding the suicide death of their friend and councilman.

"This is a very sad day for our city," Baker said. "The collective events of yesterday are a tragedy for our entire community."

"We're very sorry that the Bryan family has had to undergo this pain," Bennett said. "John was a man who loved his city and worked hard to make St. Petersburg a better place. It is appropriate for us to honor that."

Both city leaders said this is a time for the entire city to heal but neither made mention of the allegations surrounding Bryan's suicide.

City leaders say there are no details about funeral arrangements at this time.

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