Missing President of Young Democrats of Maryland Joseph Kitchen Found Dead in D.C.

A young political leader has been found dead, more than a week after he disappeared.

According to CBS News, 34-year-old Joseph Kitchen was last seen in person on August 8, at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Maryland.

Kitchen, who was the president of the Young Democrats of Maryland, held a Zoom meeting with colleagues before he went dark on social media, which according to his brother, was unusual, NBC Washington reports.

Kitchen’s phone then started going straight to voicemail, which further intensified suspicion. Family and friends of the missing Democrat leader launched a search, while several Maryland Democrats took to social media for information.

But on Sunday, more than a week after his disappearance, Kitchen was found dead in Washington, D.C.

“We are saddened to learn of the tragic and untimely passing of Joseph Kitchen,” the Young Democrats of America said on Sunday. “Joseph always pushed YDA to live to its values and was someone who was not satisfied with accepting the status quo. His passion will be deeply missed.”

The Maryland Democratic Party also released a statement, saying, “With a heavy heart, we are sad to say that Joseph Kitchen has passed. Joseph was the President of the Young Democrats of Maryland. A kind heart that has impacted so many.”

Kitchen’s cause of death remains unclear. The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington is leading the investigation into Kitchen’s death, CBS reports.