The 16-year-old son of Connecticut state Sen. Thomas Gaffey, D-Meriden, was found dead at his home, and the medical examiner has ruled he committed suicide.

Authorities were called to the home of Thomas Gaffey Jr.'s mother in Meriden at about 6:30 a.m. Monday.

The younger Gaffey was a junior at Wilcox Technical High School and was enrolled in the culinary arts program. Friends told the Record-Journal of Meriden that he worked at a local cafe and was considering attending culinary school after graduating.

The elder Gaffey is in his eighth term as a Democratic senator representing Meriden, Middlefield and parts of Middletown and Cheshire. He has two other children.

State Senate and House leaders are calling Tommy Gaffey's death a tragedy and say their thoughts and prayers are with his family.