A former Quebec MNA described as a woman who fought for the rights of her constituents is dead.

Sylvie Lespérance, 51, was found dead in her home in St-Alphonse-de-Rodriguez Friday morning, said officials with her former party, Action Démocratique du Québec.

Sylvie Lesperance was elected in 2002, but lost her seat in the 2003 general election.
Sylvie Lesperance was elected in 2002, but lost her seat in the 2003 general election.
(Clement Allard/ Canadian Press)
In a message posted on the party's website, ADQ Leader Mario Dumont said he was horror-stricken by the news of Lespérance's death. 

"Sylvie was an energetic woman who got things done. I will miss her force and determination," Dumont wrote in the French message. 

"I will always remember her as a woman of great generosity who wanted to help people around her, and who fought for the rights of people she represented."

Quebec provincial police said the body of a woman was found by her husband in their bathtub on Friday morning, but wouldn't confirm that it is Lespérance.

It's not yet clear how the woman died, said police spokeswoman Isabelle Gendron. "The body had no marks of violence, so we don't know yet what caused the death."

The Quebec coroner's office will perform an autopsy, Gendron said.

Lespérance was elected as an MNA in the riding of Joliette in 2002. She was defeated in the general election held the following year.