Mikhail Lesin Founder Of RT.Com Found Dead In DC

Russian millionaire and founder of Russia Today, now known as RT.com, was found dead inside a Washington hotel room, a Russian official and a senior U.S. official revealed.

Mikhail Lesin, a long-time adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin who was in Washington for unknown reasons, had been staying at Hotel Dupont when he was found dead Thursday, according to officials.

U.S. authorities notified the Russian embassy in Washington that one of its citizens had died, and Russian officials are now working with American authorities to determine the circumstances of the death, the embassy told ABC News in a statement. Citing an ongoing investigation, an MPD spokesman would only confirm the department is conducting a “death investigation.” h/t abcnews

From 1999 to 2004, Lesin served as Russia’s Minister of Press, Television and Radio, often traveling with Putin on official trips. In 2013, he became head of Gazprom-Media Holding, the state-controlled media giant that describes itself as one of the largest media groups in Russia and Europe. Lesin resigned the next year, reportedly citing family reasons.