BATON ROUGE - Former Mayor-President of Baton Rouge Melvin "Kip" Holden has died after a "lengthy illness," WBRZ learned Wednesday morning. He was 72 years old. 

Holden served as Mayor-President from 2005 to 2016. His tenure in the position was bracketed by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the flood of 2016. He was succeeded by Sharon Weston Broome.  

Before becoming mayor, Holden also served on the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council, as well as in the State Senate and State House of Representatives. 

He was also a reporter right here at WBRZ in 1978 and '79. 

WBRZ will update our website with services as we learn about them. 

Holden's wife Lois released the following statement Wednesday morning:

Former East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden passed away early this morning at Carpenter House following a lengthy illness. He was 72.

Holden was an attorney and a graduate of both LSU and Southern University. He served as Mayor-President from 2005 – 2016 after serving as a State Senator, State Representative and a member of the Metro-Council.

He is survived by his wife Lois, five children and two sisters.

Funeral arrangements are pending.