CONCORD – The COVID-19 virus caused the death Wednesday afternoon of Merrimack state representative and New Hampshire House Speaker Richard “Dick” Hinch, according to the office of state Attorney General Gordon MacDonald.

A spokeswoman for MacDonald said in a brief statement that officials released the cause of death “after receiving authorizaton from his next of kin.”

It states that an autopsy performed by chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jennie Duval determined that COVID-19 caused his death.

Hinch, 71, a Republican, had been elected House Speaker just a week ago at an outdoor session of the legislature. He was beginning his seventh term a Merrimack state representative, and was also a member of the House Rules committee.

Hinch was long involved in local and state politics, having served a number of years on the Merrimack Town Council, of which he was chairman for four years.

Professionally, he was owner and principal broker of

Hinch-Crowley Realty Associates.

The attorney general’s statement said that Hinch’s family “has requested that their privacy continue to be respected during this difficult time.”

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.