Ken Starr, independent counsel who pursued Clinton, dies

 (CNN) -- Kenneth Winston Starr, a former US solicitor general who gained worldwide fame in the 1990s as the independent counsel who doggedly investigated then-President Bill Clinton during a series of political scandals, has died. He was 76.

Starr died of complications from surgery, according to a statement from his family.

"We are deeply saddened with the loss of our dear and loving Father and Grandfather, whom we admired for his prodigious work ethic, but who always put his family first. The love, energy, endearing sense of humor, and fun-loving interest Dad exhibited to each of us was truly special, and we cherish the many wonderful memories we were able to experience with him," Starr's son, Randall, said in the statement on behalf of his children.

Starr, who was a member of former President Donald Trump's defense team during Trump's first impeachment, also served as president of Baylor University from 2010 to 2016.

Baylor President Linda Livingstone said in a statement Tuesday that "Judge Starr was a dedicated public servant and ardent supporter of religious freedom that allows faith-based institutions such as Baylor to flourish."

This story is breaking and will be updated.