SEATTLE, WA - Daron Morris, a well-known public defender and candidate for King County prosecutor, died unexpectedly on Saturday, according to a post on his Facebook page.

Morris, 45, challenged King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg in 2018. Morris dropped out in September citing medical issues. A brief statement posted on Morris' campaign Facebook page did not elaborate on his death. Even though he dropped out of the election, Morris' name still appeared on the ballot, and he earned over 29 percent of the vote.

Join us for a debate between the two candidates for King Cty Prosecutor @DanSatterberg and @Daronmorris2018, moderated by @Djuna22. Sept. 25, Sullivan Hall https://t.co/SDVFLECHD2 pic.twitter.com/U1GZujToTT

— Seattle U Law School (@seattleulaw) September 7, 2018 Morris worked as a public defender for 20 years, eight of those in King County. Politicians and activists from around Puget Sound reacted to Morris' death with shock on Sunday. "The loss of Daron Morris is a devastating one. The word I've seen over and over used to describe him was apt and powerful. Daron was brave. He stood up for people. He stood up for his morals. He was exactly as we will remember him," wrote Sarah Smith, who ran for Congress against Adam Smith in 2018.