NEWS 28 - We have just received word that former House Speaker Vinny Montez, who served as speaker from 2009 until 2016 has died. He was 75 years and his family said that he had been suffering with cancer for the last 2 years.

"We are heartbroken at the passing of our dad," said Susan Montez-Loredo, Montez's eldest daughter. "We can't express the grief we are feeling right now. We ask for privacy as we navigate this loss, and we hope that our wishes are respected."

The Speaker played a crucial role during the 2012 raid of Osama Bin Laden, authorizing the additional resources to the Obama Administration, effectively allowing them to continue to push with finding and subsequently killing Bin Laden. He pushed for peace through various platforms, and sought justice for America after 9/11.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced but it has been confirmed that the former Speaker will lay in state at the Capitol, which was approved by Speaker Matthew Carrington.