BATON ROUGE - Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome confirmed former Metro Councilwoman Lorri Burgess has died. She was 56 years old.
Mayor Broomr tweeted " Baton Rouge lost a committed public servant today with the passing of former Councilwoman Lorri Burgess. She was a passionate advocate for our community. My most heartfelt prayers and condolences are extended to her family and loved ones during this time. "
Burgess served on the Metro Council from 1997-2007. She was the first black woman to serve as mayor pro tem. She was also Chief Operating Officer of the Baton Rouge Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation.
Burgess died after a long battle with cancer.