Bell City Council Candidate Dies Before March 8 Election

34-year-old Miguel Sanchez, a special-ed teacher's aide, part-time parks and recreation employee, and candidate for Bell City Council, died Friday afternoon after complaining of flu-like symptoms, reports the LA Times. Sanchez was to run in the city's general and special recall election on March 8 to replace former Councilman Luis Artiga who, amid allegations of misappropriation of public funds, resigned last fall.

Sanchez had complained of flu-like symptoms last week and was admitted to the hospital on Friday. "Sanchez was pronounced dead at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center around 4:39 p.m. on Friday, just 12 hours after he had been admitted, said hospital spokeswoman Rosa Saca. The cause of death could not be released without authorization from his family, Saca said. Family members declined to comment Saturday," reports the LA Times.

Reportedly, Sanchez, a diabetic, had expressed a desire to drop out of the race because of stress.