POLITICAL official Sean Casten is often accompanied by his family for his campaigns for election.
With the death of his daughter Gwen, the congressman’s family experienced a tragic loss.
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Who was Sean Casten’s daughter, Gwen Casten?
US Representative for Illinois, Sean Casten, and his wife Kara have two daughters together named Gwen and Audrey.
Throughout Sean’s political campaigns, Gwen and Audrey appeared in advertisements to endorse their father.
On June 13, 2022, Sean and his team took to social media with unfortunate news regarding his family.
On Twitter, the Democratic politician stated: “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’s death at 17 years old happened days after she organized a Stop The Bleed training at her school to address gun violence and mass shootings.
Sean recognized her leadership and tweeted: “My teenage daughter, Gwen organized a Stop The Bleed training to learn how to pack a gunshot wound during a school shooting.
“In America, our children have taken it upon themselves to do what sitting US Senators don’t have the courage to do.”
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She was also the co-director of the Illinois chapter for March For Our Lives.
Gwen was also a leading student at her high school’s Downer’s Grove Empowerment Club.
In May 2022, the student leader also graduated from North High with her family in attendance.
Proud father Sean posted a picture of the family at the ceremony and said: “We are extremely proud of her and all the Classof2022 graduates with bright futures and good trouble ahead of them.”
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What happened to Gwen Casten?
At the time of Gwen’s passing, a cause of death was not announced.
On June 15, Sean took to Twitter to reveal further details about his daughter’s death.
He revealed that the family had dinner together before everyone went to bed.
Sean wrote: “When she got home, she said goodnight to Kara and I, texted a friend to make sure she got home OK, and didn’t wake up on Monday morning.
“The only thing we know about her death is that it was peaceful.”
The caption to his post also read: “We are grateful to all who have reached out with thoughts, condolences and help. To all asking what they can do, we ask only that you live your lives as Gwen lived hers.”
In the wake of her young life being cut short, the tributes for her started to pour in.
Sean’s fellow state representative, Bob Morgan, tweeted: “You and your family are in my prayers, and I hope you find strength in the difficult days ahead. May Gwen’s memory be a blessing upon us all.”
Politician Marie Newman honored Gwen’s memory and tweeted: “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.”
Dr Robin Kelly, who is the chairwoman of the Illinois Democratic Party, said: “This is devastatingly sad.”
“I want to send my condolences as well as love and light to my colleague Sean Casten and his family.”
Gwen was set to start college this fall at the University of Vermont to study environmental science, The Hill reports.
