Michael McAllister, a Republican candidate for governor who kept a low profile during his short time in the race, was found dead Sunday inside his Troy home following a welfare check, the Pike County Sheriff's Office told AL.com on Wednesday. He was 69.

"Nobody heard from him for a few days, so the deputies went down and had to force entry to the residence," said Pike County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Buck Williams. "He had already been deceased [when deputies found him], and there was not any evidence of foul play. He had a bunch of health problems."

Williams said he did not know what those specific health problems were.

McAllister was a former corrections officer, according to the sheriff's office.

He entered the Republican primary for governor, but did not respond to repeated phone calls for an interview or to repeated invitations to participate in AL.com's candidate debate.

The Alabama Republican Party issued the following statement Thursday on McAllister's death:

"The Alabama Republican Party is saddened to hear of the very sudden passing of ALGOP Gubernatorial Candidate Michael McAllister. We honor his willingness to be a citizen servant as he was seeking to be elected to a position in public office. Please join us as we lift up his family and friends in prayer during this very difficult time."