U.S. Rep. Sean Casten on Monday announced that his 17-year-old daughter has died.
Casten’s congressional office released a statement Monday evening announcing that Gwen Casten passed away. His office didn’t provide any further details about the death.
“The Casten family requests privacy, and we will be issuing no further comment during this heartbreaking time,” his office said.
Police responded to Casten’s home at 6:48 a.m. on Monday on a report of an unresponsive teen girl, according to Downers Grove police, who said first responders determined she was deceased. The DuPage Coroner’s office responded to the scene, and the cause of the death is under investigation.
The Democrat from Downers Grove is seeking his third term in Congress in the newly drawn 6th District and is locked in a Democratic primary battle with fellow incumbent Rep. Marie Newman and another candidate, Charles Hughes.
Casten’s campaign in February tweeted a photo with his daughter Gwen with a petition in her hand.
“It’s a big year in the Casten household! Sean’s daughter will be voting in her first election and was able to sign the petition for her dad,” his campaign tweeted.
Newman’s campaign said it is working to suspend all comparative campaign ads “immediately.”
“My heart breaks for the Casten family for the devastating loss of their daughter,” Newman said in a statement. “My prayers are with Sean, Kara, and the entire Casten family.”
Casten and his wife are the parents of two daughters.
