An Alabama preacher and politician killed himself Friday two days after being outed for having a secret life he shared online as a “transgender curvy girl.”
F.L. “Bubba” Copeland, who was the mayor of tiny Smiths Station, with a population of just 6,756, as well as the pastor at First Baptist Church in nearby Phenix City, shot himself around 5 p.m. in front of sheriffs who were following him.
Copeland was a married father of three. His suicide came after police were asked to do a welfare check and began tailing his car.
“He exited the vehicle, produced a handgun, and took his own life,” the sheriff’s office said.