Former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit died by suicide on Monday, just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin fired him from the job, officials said.

Roman Starovoit was Russia’s transport minister until President Vladimir Putin fired him from the position on Monday. Just hours later, he was found dead in his car, with investigators saying that suicide is the most likely cause.

Russian's transport minister was found dead from a gunshot wound in an apparent suicide, investigators said Monday — news that broke hours after the Kremlin announced he had been dismissed by President Vladimir Putin.