Originally Published: 25 OCT 22 09:22 ET

Updated: 25 OCT 22 09:37 ET

By Karl de Vries, CNN

(CNN) -- Ashton Carter, who served as President Barack Obama's final defense secretary, has died, his family said. He was 68.

Carter, who led the Defense Department from February 2015 to January 2017, suffered a "sudden cardiac event" on Monday night in Boston, his family said in a statement.

He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and his children, Ava and Will.

This story is breaking and will be updated.