Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin’s Son Dies at 25, Memorial Fund Created in His Honor: He ‘Was Pure Magic’

Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin has announced the death of his 25-year-old son Tommy, a second-year student at Harvard Law School.

In a statement released last week, the Maryland congressman and his wife Sarah said they were "devastated and demolished to be without him."

“Tommy was pure magic. His brilliance and compassion knew no bounds. He passionately loved his family, friends, and animals, and was devoted to the cause of the global poor,” the statement read.

In a lengthy and emotional tribute to him, his family said he died by suicide.

His family wrote: "He began to be tortured later in his 20s by a blindingly painful and merciless 'disease called depression,' as [his sister] Tabitha put it on Facebook over the weekend, a kind of relentless torture in the brain for him, and despite very fine doctors and a loving family and friendship network of hundreds who adored him beyond words and whom he adored too, the pain became overwhelming and unyielding and unbearable at last for our dear boy, this young man of surpassing promise to our broken world."

According to a press release issued over the weekend, the family has established a memorial fund in his honor, called The Tommy Raskin Memorial Fund for People and Animals.

The fund will be administered through the Greater Washington Community Foundation and launched with an initial contribution of $50,000.

According to the release, the fund will "distribute money on a semiannual basis to causes and charities championed and advanced by Tommy Raskin, such as Oxfam, Give Directly, the Helen Keller Institute, and Animal Outlook."

The family added that it had been "powerfully moved and grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, neighbors, constituents, colleagues and people from across the country."

Jamie's colleagues on the Hill and in Maryland expressed their condolences over the loss on Twitter and in statements released over the weekend.

"Losing a child is an unthinkable tragedy and on behalf of the Howard County residents, our prayers are with the Raskin family as we wish them strength over the days, weeks, and years ahead to overcome such a devastating loss," Howard County executive Calvin Ball wrote in a tweet.

Former United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice echoed those thoughts, replying to Jamie's announcement with: "So profoundly sorry for your and Sarah’s unfathomable loss. May you find strength and support in the love of family and friends and the well wishes of many others."

The official Twitter account for the House GOP also issued condolences for the Raskin family's "unimaginable loss," asking followers to "pray for them during this tragic time."

A private funeral service held in accordance with public health guidelines is slated for Tuesday morning, and a virtual public memorial service will be held later this month.

According to the family's statement, Tommy is survived by two sisters, Hannah and Tabitha, as well as several extended family members, including aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

Jamie, 58, was re-elected to his third term in the House this past November. He serves as a member of the House Oversight Committee, which has overseen a number of investigations into President Donald Trump, including his financial dealings in Russia and breaches of national security.