Canberra News Agency

[Capt. Henry Morgan]

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22 NOV 827

1 Credit

Shining a Light in the Darkness

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Senator Reyes Dies in Elevator Accident

By Clark Jameson

CANBERRA - Commisioner Nathan Archer of the Canberra Office of the Peace confirmed that the charred remains of controversial, firebrand Senator Diego Reyes of the Orange Dream Party were found in an out-of-service elevator car earlier this morning.

Reyes was reported missing early this morning when he failed to show up for an emergency session of the Senate, and had not been in his quarters since the previous day. Security logs in the Government Section show Senator Reyes stepping onto an elevator alone yesterday evening, but not arriving at his destination. Maintenance crews report that the elevator car had been scheduled for high-temperature decontamination. The car's biosensor had failed, indicating that the car was empty and it was redirected to decon instead of the Senator's apartment on the Residential Layer.

A full investigation is currently underway, but COP officials state that foul play is not suspected at this time. The Senate has declared an official period of mourning for Senator Reyes, after which a special election will be held to fill his seat. Natio Octavarium United and the Octavarium Independence Party have declared that they will not be running candidates. Orange Dream Party representatives could not be reached for comment.

Services for Senator Reyes will be held at the Madre de Dios Maltese Catholic Church on Level 7 of the Market Layer. Attendance is open to the general public.