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How did Gwen Casten die? Illinois Congressman Sean Casten’s 17-year-old daughter discovered at home

Gwen was in her father's footsteps and worked for social problems she cared about, her social media posts indicate

Illinois Congressman Sean Casten issued a statement on Monday, June 13 announcing the loss of his teenage daughter. Gwen Casten, 17, died Monday morning, according to the congressional office, but no other details were released.

Gwen was described as Casten's "beloved daughter" in the message, and the family asked for privacy at this "heartbreaking time." Downers Grove, Illinois, police said they were summoned to the Casten residence at about 6:48 a.m. for an unconscious 17-year-old girl and discovered that she had died. The DuPage County coroner was also called, and the cause of death is being investigated.

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Gwen was in her father's footsteps and worked for social problems she cared about, her social media posts indicate. She worked as co-director of the March For Our Lives Illinois branch, according to her Twitter account. She also participated in a campaign video for her father, who is fighting for re-election to a third term in Congress. In a television interview just 10 days ago, Rep. Casten expressed his pride in his daughter and her efforts to organize a "Stop the Bleed" program at her school.

Announcing Gwen's death, Rep. Sean Casten tweeted, "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."

Gwen was part of a campaign that aimed at combating gun violence and prohibiting Members of Congress from trading stock. Her father had expressed "tremendous delight" that Gwen took the initiative to organize the training while regretting that children had to do such things when Congress refuses to accept responsibility for the country's gun and mass shooting problems. According to CBS News-Chicago, Casten's campaign urged all Illinois TV stations to take his ads from the air until further notice, soon before his office revealed Gwen's death.

Casten's campaign posted a photo of Gwen back in February, noting: "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."

Casten is running for a third term in Congress in Illinois' newly formed 6th congressional district. Congresswoman Marie Newman is also competing for the same seat in the next election. Her campaign made a statement in response to Casten's daughter's death. "My heart breaks for the Casten family for the devastating loss of their daughter. My prayers are with Sean, Kara, and the entire Casten family," Newman's post stated.

Newman is also halting all campaign advertisements immediately. After the Democratic majority in Springfield authorized a congressional remap that put her in the highly Hispanic 3rd District held by U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, Newman decided to oppose Casten in the 2022 primary.