Former FBI Director and special counsel Robert Mueller has died at the age of 81, his family confirmed Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away last night,\u201d his family said, asking for privacy. A cause of death was not immediately announced, though Mueller had reportedly battled Parkinson\u2019s disease in recent years.<\/p>\n
Mueller was one of the most prominent figures in modern U.S. law enforcement. Born in New York City in 1944, he served as a Marine officer during the Vietnam War and received several military honors, including a Bronze Star. He later earned his law degree from the University of Virginia.<\/p>\n
In 2001, Mueller became FBI director, serving for 12 years under both Republican and Democratic administrations. He led the bureau through major changes following the September 11 attacks, with a strong focus on counterterrorism and national security.<\/p>\n
Mueller later became special counsel in 2017 to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. His 2019 report concluded that Russia conducted a broad campaign to influence the election, but did not establish a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia.<\/p>\n
Remembered as a reserved and disciplined public servant, Mueller leaves behind a decades-long legacy in law enforcement, national security and government service.<\/p>\n