Cops: Sen. Jon Tester's nephew murdered in Washington State home invasion

A suspect possibly wielding a sword and knife is wanted for murdering the nephew of a U.S. senator during a brutal home invasion near Spokane, Washington, police said.

Spokane County Sheriff's deputies responded to the home of 35-year-old Bob Tester, the nephew of Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., on Wednesday morning. He was found "severely injured," according to police and court documents, and died at the scene.

His 8-year-old daughter, who was not hurt, was home at the time.

A search warrant said the girl awoke to a man beating her father and that the man told her to stay in bed because he was going to kill Tester, reported NBC affiliate KHQ. She said the man was armed with a sword and knife.

Tester was found in the living room in a pool of blood. An ax-like maul, typically used for splitting wood, was discovered near him, court documents said.

Evidence suggests the killing was not a random act of violence,the Spokane County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Authorities are asking the public for help in the case.

Tester recently posted on Facebook that a man whom he trusted had victimized him, detectives said. Possible drugs were also found in the home, and Tester's mother said he grew marijuana for dispensaries. Washington state decriminalized recreational marijuana use in 2012.

A spokeswoman confirmed Thursday that Sen. Tester, who has represented Montana since 2007, is the uncle of the victim.

"Sen. Jon Tester and his family appreciate the privacy given during this difficult time," spokeswoman Marneé Banks told NBC News.

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