U.S. Congressman’s 17-Year-Old Daughter Died Early Morning at Home
Illinois Congressman Sean Casten’s 17-year-old daughter Gwen Casten died Monday morning, his office announced.
The U.S. representative’s office released a short statement that said the teen passed away.
“This morning, Congressman Casten’s beloved daughter, Gwen (17), passed away,” Casten’s office said. “The Casten family requests privacy, and we will be issuing no further comment during this heartbreaking time.”
Gwen died inside the family’s Downers Grove home, according to local police.
Downers Grove police were called to respond to a report of an “unresponsive” 17-year-old girl at a home on the block where Casten lives just before 7 a.m.
The girl was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gwen was slated to attend the University of Vermont. She starred in a digital political ad for her father that was released less than two weeks ago; in it, she blew out cake candles for an 18th birthday.
🚨 BIG NEWS: Sean just released a new digital ad!!
In Congress, Sean is working to enshrine a woman's right to make her own health care decisions, combat gun violence, & ban Members of Congress from trading stock.
Chip in now to keep these ads running: https://t.co/zwkQBqyN7A pic.twitter.com/SmO3xZgn61
— Team Sean Casten (@VoteCasten) June 2, 2022
@JBPritzker can we be next please https://t.co/eBWyVD2am4
— Gwen Casten (@gwencasten) October 1, 2021
A member of the Democratic Party, Sean Casten has been a strident advocate for getting vaccinated. The date of his daughter’s booster shot has yet to be disclosed.
Great news. My 16 y.o. daughter just got registered for hers in IL. Sign up and get vaccinated if you haven't already. https://t.co/HzwzcgdTQQ
— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) April 19, 2021
Not hiring knuckleheads is my superpower.
"I've made a point of not hiring knuckleheads, and everybody on our staff got vaccinated…"
[Casten's] staffers were all eager to get vaccinated "because they don't like to be dead." https://t.co/4d75VmnFUi
— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) September 22, 2021
If you're not vaccinated, get vaccinated.
If you can't get vaccinated, wear a mask.
If ANYONE in a position of power says anything to the contrary, they do not value your life. https://t.co/nPyPQ4xUvs
— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) August 17, 2021
Reps. Sean Casten (D-IL) & John Katko (R-NY), who both recently tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated, voted by proxy today in 1st vote of 2nd session of 117th Congress. Rep. Underwood (D-IL) voted for her Illinois colleague and Rep. Meijer (R-MI) for Katko. pic.twitter.com/rBRg4B5qup
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) January 10, 2022
Gwen Casten’s mother is the fully vaccinated Kara Quirk.
This morning, Congressman Casten’s beloved daughter, Gwen (17), passed away. The Casten family requests privacy, and we will be issuing no further comment during this heartbreaking time.
— Rep. Sean Casten (@RepCasten) June 14, 2022
Sean Casten earned a Bachelor of Arts in molecular biology and biochemistry from Middlebury College in 1993. He then worked for two years as a scientist at the Tufts University School of Medicine. In 1998, he earned a Master of Engineering Management and a Master of Science in biochemical engineering from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College.
UPDATE: The congressman publicly confirmed on Wednesday that his daughter did in fact die in her sleep.
MORE RECENT UPDATE: In October 2022, an autopsy report was made available to the public. For details, see woodhouse.substack.com/p/autopsy-report-for-unexpected-death
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