An examination into the electronic devices belong to former Smiths Station Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland following his suicide last week has not turned up any criminal wrongdoing, authorities said.

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones on Wednesday said the investigation into Copeland’s death is ongoing.

Investigators carried out a forensic analysis of Copeland’s electronic devices – including his cell phone that was found with him when he took his own life Friday afternoon.

That analysis, the sheriff said in a statement, “has not revealed any additional information relating to the action he took Friday afternoon or any evidence indicating any criminal law violations.”

Jones previously said the investigation – which is ongoing – is a standard procedure in such deaths.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 334-749-5651 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP(7857).

The family will receive friends today from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at First Baptist of Phenix City.

Copeland, a 49-year-old father of three, took his own life Friday evening in Lee County.

Copeland held the Lee County School Board’s District 5 seat from 2008 until 2016, when he was elected mayor. He helped guide the city after a tornado killed 23 people in 2019 and was re-elected in 2020.

Copeland’s death came two days after 1819 News published photos of him wearing women’s clothing and makeup. 1819 News is a website that was once owned by the Alabama Policy Institute.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Smiths Station, the parishioners of First Baptist Church of Phenix City and the victims and family of Mayor Copeland,” Jeff Poor, editor-in-chief of 1819 News, wrote in a statement to AL.com.

Sheriff’s deputies received a request for a welfare check for Copeland around 4:14 p.m. Friday.

Copeland was found in Beulah when a slow pursuit was initiated with the mayor’s vehicle.

Copeland turned off Lee County Road 279 and on to Lee County Road 275 just north of Yarboughs Crossroads and pulled over.

“He exited the vehicle, produced a handgun and took his own life,” the sheriff’s office said.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, reach out to the 24–hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255; contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741; or chat with someone online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours.