Case of the missing GOP lawmaker takes an odd new turn

The ongoing case of a missing Republican congressman took another odd turn this week, per a new report from NOTUS, with neighbors revealing a new wrinkle to the case.

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. is a New Jersey Republican who has not been seen in Washington D.C., for well over two months, raising serious concerns about his well-being as well as his chances in the coming midterms, given that his seat in the House is considered competitive. House Speaker Mike Johnson, after weeks of prodding, revealed recently that Kean is said to be dealing with an undisclosed medical issue, with further details being unknown.

On Thursday, NOTUS released a new report about the situation after visiting Kean's home in an affluent New Jersey suburb and speaking with several of his neighbors, who requested anonymity "to avoid irking this politically powerful member of their community." According to these individuals, the congressman's home has been "dark for weeks," and no one has even seen his wife in that time either.

"The people who live on Kean’s affluent block noticed the Republican lawmaker’s disappearance long before it became the subject of a political mystery," the report detailed. "Kean’s wife hasn’t been spotted walking the family dog. No one could remember the last time her car was parked in the driveway. A single gardening glove was left on the front lawn this past weekend."

It continued: "Outside of Kean’s home in the affluent suburban town of Westfield on Monday, other houses were bustling with activity as landscapers worked on lawns. Rabbits and squirrels scurried across his front yard and throngs of parents walked their kids through the neighborhood to the nearby elementary school. Kean’s home remained dormant."

The building showed telltale signs of being abandoned for a period of time. When NOTUS arrived there, it appeared covered in yellow pollen, and first-story windows were left uncovered, despite the "scorching heat" in the area. No one opened the door despite multiple attempts to knock.

Local police told NOTUS that they had no record of calls to the home in the last few years. Public records indicated that Kean and his wife recently paid a sewer bill ahead of time, and a property tax bill five days late. Reports submitted to Congress show that he has continued to trade stocks in his absence.

"One neighbor, who immediately identified herself as a Democrat, readily admitted she had no idea what had happened to the congressman — but complained that she was still receiving his 'weird' digital newsletters," the report added. "Another said the disappearance had become the top subject of neighborhood gossip. A third noted that she hadn’t seen the congressman’s wife either."

At one point, while NOTUS was in the area, the congressman's wife, Rhonda Kean, did in fact appear. When approached and questioned about her husband, she said only, "No comment." She was soon joined by a friend and entered the property.

A consultant on Kean's team reiterated to the outlet that the congressman is "dealing with a personal medical situation and is under the care of doctors."

"The expectation is that he is going to be 100% and totally healthy," their statement added. "The timeline for that looks very good."