Kentucky Politician Charged in Shooting Death of Insurance Department Examiner

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Police in Lexington, Kentucky are investigating the shooting death of a former state GOP lawmaker’s ex-girlfriend, after the woman was found shot to death Sept. 11.

Authorities said Amanda Ross, 29, a Department of Insurance employee, was found shot outside her home in downtown Lexington. Police found her ex-boyfriend, Steve Nunn, hours later at a cemetery in Hart county with what appeared to be self-inflicted wrist wounds.

Nunn, 56, has been charged in her slaying. Nunn, son of former Republican Gov. Louie Nunn, ran unsuccessfully for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2003. He returned to state government in 2007 as deputy secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, but was put on administrative leave in February after being charged with domestic violence. He resigned in March.

According to Fayette County court records, a protective order protecting Ross from Nunn was in effect through March, 2010. Ross claimed that Nunn became violent at her home and hit her in the face four times. The complaint also said that Nunn pushed her against a wall, broke a lamp and threw a cup at her.

“I called police because this has happened many times before,” Ross wrote.

Rhonda Sloan, spokeswoman for the Department of Insurance, said Ross was director of financial standards and examination. “We are devastated by this tragic news,” Sloan said. “Amanda was a treasured part of the Department of Insurance family, a dear friend and a valued employee.”

Gov. Steve Beshear called the death “an indescribable tragedy.”