NEWS: US Freddie Mac chief found dead

The acting chief financial officer of struggling US mortgage giant Freddie Mac has been found dead after apparently killing himself, police say.

Fairfax County Police said there was no foul play suspected in the death of David Kellermann, found in his home 20km (13 miles) west of Washington DC.

The 41-year-old had worked for the company for 16 years and became chief financial officer in September.

Freddie Mac was bailed out by the US government last year.

Police were investigating the death after being called to the house just before 0500 local time by Mr Kellermann's wife.

"We were called from inside the house to come investigate an apparent suicide," a Fairfax police spokeswoman told local media, according to AFP news agency.

US media reports said Mr Kellermann was found hanging in the basement of the house