Weifang official kills self

A senior official in Weifang, East China's Shandong province was found to have committed suicide Thursday, local authorities announced.

A preliminary police investigation showed that Chen Baifeng, vice mayor of Weifang, hung himself near his residence.

Evidence at the scene suggests suicide while the exact cause is being investigated.

Members of Chen's family said that he had suffered from depression for years.

At least 54 Chinese officials have died of "unnatural causes" since January 2013, the China Youth Daily reported earlier. It is believed that 23 have committed suicide, drawing public attention to the mental health of this specific group.