In a dramatic twist no one saw coming, Karoline Leavitt—rising political star and former White House aide—was thrust into a real-life mystery after rushing to the aid of a military veteran’s missing service dog. But what began as a compassionate gesture quickly spiraled into something far more bizarre—and possibly sinister.

It all started when Leavitt received a desperate plea from retired Marine Sergeant David Rourke, whose emotional support dog, Max, had vanished three days prior in rural Grafton County, New Hampshire. Rourke, who served two tours in Afghanistan, relies heavily on Max to manage his PTSD. The local authorities were reportedly slow to respond, prompting Leavitt—known for her unfiltered energy and media magnetism—to take matters into her own hands.

Sources close to the situation say Leavitt canceled two public appearances and drove herself into the remote backwoods outside Littleton, where Max was last seen. Armed with nothing but a flashlight, water, and determination, she combed the fields near the White Mountain trailheads before spotting a peculiar silhouette in the distance: an old, decrepit barn, long rumored by locals to be haunted.

“She saw paw prints leading into the barn and didn’t hesitate,” said a campaign staffer who requested anonymity. “What she found inside changed everything.”