United Nations security chief Michael McCann speaks about the death of one of his officers at the United Nations headquarters Dec. 1, 2003, in New York.   [AP]

A U.N. security guard was found dead inside U.N. headquarters at midday on Monday with a gunshot wound to the head, the head of U.N. security said.

Michael Holton's body was found in a third floor lounge shortly before noon. He was discovered by two officers who were sent to check on Holton after he did not return to his duty station following a break, said Michael McCann, the U.N. security chief.

McCann told a news conference the incident was the first of its kind inside the United Nations buildings.

Holton, 41, was found in a lounge area where U.N. employees often take their breaks. He was seated in one of the chairs and his gun was on the chair next to his leg, McCann said.

McCann said that Holton was a 16-year veteran of the U.N. security department, was married and had two children. McCann gave no further details on the family. Holton was a U.S. citizen.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family," the security chief said. "Michael was a terrific officer ... very personable, very freindly, somebody that greeted everybody in a positive manner."

Asked whether the death might have been a suicide, McCann said the incident was under investigation by the New York Police Department and by the FBI.

He said there was no prior indication of psychological problems and that no note was left near the body. He said there were no witnesses and no one was known to have heard anything unusual.

"He's one of my officers; someone well respected. It's not easy answering these questions," McCann told reporters.

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