New Hampshire lawmakers extend their condolences to the family of state Rep. Sean Cox, 40, a Republican from Andover who died Saturday night. Details surrounding his death are not known.

House Majority Leader D. J. Bettencourt today said he is “shocked and deeply saddened” by the freshman legislator's death.

“Like all who worked with and came to know him, I admired and respected his intelligence, dedication and sincerity,” Bettencourt said in a statement

“I will miss him as a friend who was always quick to offer advice and words of encouragement. New Hampshire will miss him as a public servant and his constituents have lost an outstanding advocate,” he added.

Bettencourt said “there were certainly no health issues that I was aware of and that is a big part of the surprise.” He described Cox as a father who was a “very active” and “very energetic” legislator.

House Speaker Bill O'Brien contacted Cox's wife who confirmed he had died Saturday night, Bettencourt said.

Cox represented District 6 in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. He sat on the Science, Technology and Energy Committee.