Dupage Policy Journal

A heavily redacted report of 17-year-old Gwen Casten’s death investigation records have been released to the DuPage Policy Journal showing a criminal investigation into the case. 

Detectives interviewed individuals of interest in the case on June 15 and 27.

Casten is the daughter of U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL). She died on June 13.  

The 56-page report from the Downers Grove Police Department includes scant detail about Casten’s death.

The morning of June 13 units were dispatched to Casten’s home in Downers Grove where she was found dead.

Officers Matthew Ryan, Matthew Priebe, Javier Guzman, Scott Buzecky and Alessia Marocco worked the scene of death.

A person on the scene was described as “other relative” in the report, but the name was redacted.

“Ofc. Stults conducted evidence technician work. See his supplement for further detail,” the reports reads. The supplement is redacted in its entirety. “Det. Marocco #^4 and Det. Xu #28 responded to the scene and took over the investigation. See their supplement for further. The coroner was contacted at approximately 0844 hours. Keru Mederich responded to the scene [REDACTED].”

The report said that an investigation was to follow.

Casten’s body was transported to a temporary locker at the coroner’s office and “held for investigative purposes” and for the collection of “evidence.”

Foul play has not been noted in the case.

Detective Menglin Mike Xu provided a further “incident supplement report” on the death that was redacted.

“On 06/13/22 Det. Xu #28 and I (Det. Marocco #64) were called out to the above location for a death investigation. Upon our arrival, Sgt. Andler #97 advised us patrol units were called [REDACTED],” Xu’s report reads before it is redacted for 10 pages.

Sean Casten, who is seeking re-election in the new 6th Congressional District, shared details of the night before his daughter’s death via Twitter.

“On Sunday night, we had dinner as a family and then she went out with some friends for a few hours. 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,” Casten tweeted.

Casten was a recent high school graduate and had planned on attending the University of Vermont this fall. She was an honor student and Illinois State Scholar who worked on the school paper.