Illinois Congressman Sean Casten's family shares details of teen daughter's death

Gwen Casten was 17

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Sean Casten, Illinois rep., shares details of daughter's death
Sean Casten's family shared more information about the sudden death of the congressman's teen daughter.

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. (WLS) -- The family of Illinois Congressman Sean Casten is sharing more details about how the representative's 17-year-old daughter died.

Gwen Casten was found dead in her room Monday.

Casten's family said it appears she died in her sleep, but an exact cause has not been determined.

The 17-year-old recently graduated from Downers Grove North High School and planned to attend the University of Vermont.

RELATED: US Rep. Sean Casten's daughter Gwen, 17, dies

In a statement, the Casten family said in part, "The only thing we know about her death is that it was peaceful. And the only lesson we can take from that is to savor the moments you have with your loved ones."

Casten, D-Downers Grove, is currently running for a third term against Congresswoman Marie Newman. The Casten campaign temporarily pulled its TV ads. Newman's campaign is stopping all ads comparing the two candidates.

Newman said in a statement, "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."

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