March 21 (UPI) -- Former FBI director and special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election Robert S. Mueller III died Friday at age 81.

Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who led the investigation into claims of Russian interference in the 2016 election, died Friday at 81 years old.

The New York Times reported Mueller’s death, citing a family statement.

A former FBI director, Mueller led the high-profile inquiry into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US election

The second-longest-serving director in FBI history, Mueller held the job until 2013 after agreeing to Barack Obama’s request to stay on even after his 10-year term was up.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert S. Mueller III, the FBI director who transformed the nation’s premier law enforcement agency into a terrorism-fighting force after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and who later became special counsel in charge of investigating ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, has died. He was 81. “With deep sadness, we […]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert S. Mueller III, the FBI director who transformed the nation’s premier law enforcement agency into a terrorism-fighting force after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and who later became special counsel in charge of investigating ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, has died. He was 81. “With deep sadness, we […]

At the FBI, Robert Mueller set about almost immediately overhauling the bureau’s mission to meet the law enforcement needs of the 21st century, beginning his 12-year tenure just one week before the Sept. 11 attacks and serving across presidents of both political parties. He was nominated by Republican President George W. Bush. Robert Mueller Dies: Former FBI Director, Who Investigated Russia-Trump Campaign Ties, Passes Away at 81.