Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter dies at 68

Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter has died, his family announced Tuesday. He was 68.

Carter, who was the country's top military official under President Obama, died Monday of cardiac arrest, according to Fox News Digital. 

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

"It is with deep and profound sadness that the family of former Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter shares that Secretary Carter passed away Monday evening in Boston," his family said in a statement. "He was a beloved husband, father, mentor, and friend. His sudden loss will be felt by all who knew him."

Carter was the country's 25th secretary of Defense and director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard’s Kennedy School.