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Body of missing Evanston woman Elise Malary found in Lake Michigan
Police confirmed on Saturday that the body of missing Evanston woman Elise Malary was found in Lake Michigan.
EVANSTON, Ill. - Elise Malary, an activist for transgender rights found in Lake Michigan, died from drowning but her manner of death could not be determined, according to new autopsy results.
Malary’s disappearance on March 11 sparked a massive search for the 31-year-old, who was hailed as a pillar of Chicago’s transgender and queer communities.
She was found six days later in the lake near Garden Park in Evanston, bringing a tragic end to a week of searching by friends and neighbors.
Autopsy results released on Sunday ruled her death a drowning, but the Cook County medical examiner’s office was unable to rule if her death was accidental or not.
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Investigators with the medical examiner’s office did not find trauma on her body, and a police investigation did not reveal any foul play, police said in a statement Thursday.
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Vigil held for Evanston LGBTQ activist Elise Malary, whose body was found in Lake Michigan
Elise Malary, 31, made a great impact on Chicago's LGBTQ community, which was evident with a huge turnout to a candlelight vigil in Andersonville on Sunday night. Malary was remembered for not just her transgender activism, but for her presence and energy.
Police said they would continue investigating leads to determine Malary’s manner of death.
Malary, born and raised in Andersonville, had worked in the Civil Rights Bureau of Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office. She had also worked with Chicago Therapy Collective, a group that addresses social factors impacting mental health in the trans community.
She had recently moved to Evanston.
Elise Malary | Evanston police
Malary’s death — and the murder of another Black trans woman, Tatiana "Tee Tee" Whetstone, in Chatham — highlighted the burden on the transgender community during the Trans Day of Visibility in late March.
Police asked anyone with information about Malary’s death to contact Evanston police detectives at (847) 866-5040. Tips can also be texted to 274637, starting the message with EPDTIP.