The community of Smiths Station, Alabama, has been hit by the unexpected and tragic death of its mayor, F.L. “Bubba” Copeland, confirmed as a suicide by local law enforcement on November 3, 2023.

Mayor Copeland, who also devoted himself as a pastor at the First Baptist Church of Phenix City, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The grim discovery was made after a conservative news outlet brought his private life into the public eye, causing a stir. The Lee County coroner confirmed the incident, with an autopsy lined up to delve further into the details.

A welfare check by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department was the catalyst for finding Copeland after there were concerns for his safety. He shot himself in front of police after they found him driving on a country road.

A website by the name of 1819 News had released photographs shortly before his death, allegedly showing Mayor Copeland dressed in women’s attire, with makeup, presenting himself as “Brittini Blaire Summerlin.” These provocative images and the narrative that accompanied them sparked widespread debate and media frenzy.

During the turmoil, Copeland had sought to calm the waters within his congregation, expressing regret for any discomfort brought about by the exposure while maintaining his dedication to his duties as mayor and pastor.

The sequence of events after the publication prompted a variety of responses, including a statement from former U.S. Senator Doug Jones, who denounced the intense media scrutiny Copeland faced. Jones reflected on past collaborations with Copeland, particularly in the aftermath of a 2019 tornado and the subsequent disaster relief communications with the Trump administration.

With a small population of roughly 5,384, based on the 2020 census, Smiths Station is nestled in Lee County near Columbus, Georgia, and Phenix City, Alabama. The town, known for its close-knit nature, is feeling the profound loss of a prominent community member.

Following the tragic news, the First Baptist Church of Phenix City has acknowledged the community’s outpouring of support and prayers. They, along with many others in Smiths Station, are grieving the loss of an individual who was integral to their community.

Prior to his death, Mayor Copeland had insisted to the journalist from 1819 News that his online persona was purely fictional, a stress-relief hobby rather than a reflection of reality.