By Micha Green
AFRO D.C. Editor
mgreen@afro.com
Joseph Kitchen, 34, president of the Young Democrats of Maryland, was found dead in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 16, after last being spotted in Maryland eight days prior.
Kitchen was last seen alive at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Maryland, on Aug. 8. Just one day after soliciting the public’s help in finding the 34-year-old, Prince George’s County Police announced Kitchen’s passing and said that the Washington Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) “is leading the investigation into his death.”
“The Prince George’s County Police Department offers our condolences to Mr. Kitchen’s family and friends,” Prince George’s Police wrote on the Department’s blog.
As a political leader, Kitchen’s death is being felt across the Democratic community, both locally and nationally.
“We are saddened to learn of the tragic and untimely passing of Joseph Kitchen,” the Young Democrats of America (YDA) tweeted. “Joseph always pushed YDA to live up to its values and was someone who was not satisfied with accepting the status quo. His passion will be deeply missed.”
When the Maryland Democrats sorrowfully announced his passing, the Prince George’s County Young Democrats (PGCYD), emphasized Kitchen’s guidance and contributions.
“True leadership service. Thank you for all you’ve done,” PGCYD tweeted. “Joseph Kitchen, you will be missed.”
Politician, activist and DC Young Democrats (DCYD) National Committeewoman Sheika Reid highlighted Kitchen’s major contributions to the Democrats of the D.M.V. and beyond.
“Joseph was a great leader committed to his community,” Reid posted on Instagram, before explaining that he would often support the nearby DCYD events. “This is such a loss for all of us.”
Although she did not know him very well, in an exclusive with the AFRO, Reid further emphasized Kitchen’s impact on her own life and DCYDs.
“He was a kind spirit,” she said. “I didn’t know him well, but he was a member of our community and he showed up for the D.C. Young Democrats through the duration of our tenure. He clearly was a presence in every organization that he was a member of.”
