Elise Malary’s body found after fears for transgender activist’s safety

On Saturday afternoon, police confirmed that the body of Elise Malary, a 31-year-old transgender activist, was recovered and positively identified after Evanston Police and Fire departments responded to reports of a woman sighted in the water on the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Malary’s family and friends sought answers regarding the activist’s whereabouts when she stopped responding to them on March 9.

Malary was reported missing just two days later, according to Evanston police. In a police statement, it was released that the Evanston Fire Department recovered Malary’s from the water and transported the body to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. Malary was known best for conducting social advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ community, people of color, and transgender people of color.

Alexis Martinez, a close friend, said that Malary was the kind of person who “was always there for you.” Martinez continued that through Malary’s position as a board member with the nonprofit Chicago Therapy Collective, she had a “profound influence” on the community.

Though she was born and raised in Chicago, Malary lived in Andersonville. Activists in the area as well as elected officials had made appeals for Malary’s return during the time in which she was still missing. 

Chicago Alderman Andre Vasquez made a statement before Malary’s body was discovered: “You meet a lot of activists, and they put in a lot of work, but they don’t have the same level of joy and love that Elise brings.” He continued, “Elise has been a good friend of mine and someone who has a leader and advocate for the trans community. Her smile and energy light up every room she is in.”