U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Saturday confirmed that Justice Antonin Scalia had died.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is seen during a group portrait in the East Conference Room at the Supreme Court Building in Washington, in this file photo taken Oct. 8, 2010. [File photo/Xinhua]

Reports say Scalia died in his sleep earlier Saturday during his trip to in the state of Texas. The cause of death was not available at the moment.

"He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues," said Roberts in a statement, adding that he and other U.S. Supreme Court justices were "saddened" to hear of Scalia's passing.

The first Italian-American to sit on the country's high court, Scalia, 79, was the leading conservative voice on the high court and his death was expected to set off a prolonged fight over his replacement.

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