<p>A former Chatham County commissioner was found dead after killing herself, the Chatham County Coroners Office announced.</p><p>Julie Backus Smith, a Republican, was found dead but the coroners office released no further details Monday. Smith elected to the County Commission in 1988 and lost to Joe Mahany in the 1992 race for commission chairman.</p><p>Before serving on the commission, Smith had been active in the Renaissance Savannah civic group.</p><p>Deputy Coroner Sara Smith said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an autopsy.</p>
