Thomas Massie returning to Capitol in wake of wife's unexpected death

The shocking recent death of a Kentucky lawmaker's wife led to the emergence of all sorts of theories about what may have led to her demise, given that no cause for her passing was immediately announced.

However, despite the fact that he remains in mourning over the loss of his spouse, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie has revealed that he has been “amused” by the rampant speculation that followed the tragic event, as The Hill reports.

Massie announces planned return, dismisses theories

The congressman took to social media on Thursday to let his followers and constituents know that he planned an imminent return to Congress, a mere two weeks after he let them know of the death of his wife, Rhonda, which occurred late last month.

Massie did not reveal a cause of death when he made his initial announcement, a fact which spurred a rash of speculation about what might have occurred, including the notion that she had been fatally injured by the COVID-19 vaccine.

Writing this week, Massie declared, “Although I first reacted with indignation to internet conspiracy theories about her death, I've since been amused because I know Rhonda would have laughed, and if I were on the outside, I might have similar concerns.”

Massie went on to reveal, however, that his wife had not been vaccinated against COVID-19, and therefore that hypothesis was clearly false.

“She did not take the COVID shots,” Rep. Massie stated, noting that he and his wife were both “seropositive by the time they became available,” and while an autopsy was performed on Rhonda Massie, the results have not yet been received.

Death stuns colleagues, constituents

It was in late June that Massie revealed the news of Rhonda's death via a post on X, as Roll Call reported at the time.

Massie stated, “Yesterday my high school sweetheart, the love of my life for over 35 years, the loving mother of our 4 children, the smartest kindest woman I ever knew, my beautiful and wise queen forever, Rhonda went to Heaven.”

The news prompted an outpouring of condolences from Rep. Massie's fellow lawmakers, and the House observed a moment of silence in honor of Rhonda, and MIT graduate of whom her husband was immensely proud.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who said, “I know of no finer human being than Thomas Massie. My heart breaks for him and his family. I pray for them, asking that they be comforted at this time of unbearable sorrow.”

Perhaps Massie's imminent return to work can serve as a much-needed distraction from the grief he surely continues to feel.