New Orleans has suffered another tragic incident, as the assistant district attorney took his own life over the weekend.
ADA Ian Kersting died by suicide Saturday night inside the district attorney’s office. According to New Orleans police, Kersting was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound around 9 p.m. in the 6100 block of South White Street. Emergency medical services arrived at the scene, but Kersting was pronounced dead.
In a statement, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office expressed grief over the loss.
“The Orleans Parish DA’s Office family suffered a terrible tragedy Saturday night. Assistant District Attorney Ian Kersting was a beloved member of our office, and we send our love and deepest condolences to his family. It’s important that we support each other right now, and we ask the media respect the privacy of the individuals impacted,” the announcement read.
Kersting was part of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative division, a role critical in addressing long-standing issues in the justice system related to the handling of sex crimes. Following news of his death, Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed her condolences online.
I’m praying for him and his family and the entire @orleansparishda’s office. To anyone struggling with grief, loss, or depression having thoughts of suicide, please call the suicide hotline number at 988,” Murril tweeted.
I’m praying for him and his family and the entire @orleansparishda’s office. To anyone struggling with grief, loss, or depression having thoughts of suicide, please call the suicide hotline number at 988. https://t.co/WIfrSKNZGu
— Attorney General Liz Murrill (@AGLizMurrill) January 5, 2025
Kersting’s death hits the already heartbroken city just days after what is being called a terrorist attack devastated New Orleans in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, drove a truck through a crowd on Bourbon Street, the city’s entertainment hub, killing 14 people and injuring at least 30 others.
