BREAKING: Ex-Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett, who was at the helm during the Trayvon Martin homicide, died earlier today of lung cancer at 52

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By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer

SANFORD, Fla. -- Jeff Triplett, the former Sanford mayor who led the city through the Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman crisis more than eight years ago, died earlier today of lung cancer. He was 52 years old.

Triplett passed away this morning, his brother, Kent Triplett, announced in a Facebook post.

The current mayor issued a statement on Triplett's passing via social media this afternoon.

 "The City of Sanford is saddened by the news of the passing of former Mayor Jeff Triplett Saturday morning," Mayor Art Woodruff said, adding, "Mayor Triplett, who served from 2011 until 2020, truly loved the City and its residents. He led the City with compassion through difficult times and will be missed by the City and the many organizations he worked with. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers."

The current mayor (shown here) issued a statement on Triplett's passing via social media this afternoon. 

"The City of Sanford is saddened by the news of the passing of former Mayor Jeff Triplett Saturday morning," Mayor Art Woodruff said, adding, "Mayor Triplett, who served from 2011 until 2020, truly loved the City and its residents. He led the City with compassion through difficult times and will be missed by the City and the many organizations he worked with. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers."

Funeral arrangements are being held privately and the family is asking for the public to respect its privacy. 

In lieu of flowers the family is asking donations be made to the American Cancer Society in Jeff’s Triplett's name.