In a statement, the department says Insurance Commissioner Scott Kipper and McCune met in the early 1990s when they both worked for the Wyoming Insurance Department, and remained friends after.

"Bill was a kind and gentle man who touched the lives of everyone who met him," says Kipper in a statement. "The impact his personality and intellect made on the Division of Insurance will be felt for years to come. We are truly saddened by this loss."

The department says McCune's passing would impact the insurance industry because he was "nationally recognized and appreciated as a vigilant and innovative regulator."

Deputy Commissioner Michael Lynch will serve as the point person for anyone wishing to communicate with the department's Corporate and Financial Affairs section until a successor is appointed.

Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong says authorities charged Michael Evans, 23; Anthony Elliot, 20; Raul Garcia, 22, and Makyla Blackmore, 20, with allegedly robbing and murdering McCune. Police suspect the stolen property was to be used to buy drugs.  

McCune may have known two of the suspects, but it is not certain how long they knew one another, authorities say, adding that they found evidence of a violent struggle in McCune's apartment on Thursday as they investigated a missing-person complaint filed after McCune failed to show-up for work that day.

McCune was not married and lived alone.