Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more!
Body Of Ohio Community Activist Pulled Out Of River Months After She Went Missing
Amber Evans disappeared in January after a reported disagreement with her boyfriend, texting her mother “I love you and I’m sorry."
The body of a well-known Ohio community justice activist has been found and identified, months after she disappeared.
A dive team pulled the body of 28-year-old Amber Evans out of the Scioto River Saturday and have notified her family, according to a statement on social media from the Columbus Police.
“While this is not the outcome we hoped for, we understand this brings closure for the family,” they wrote. “Our thoughts & prayers go out to them.”
Evans has been missing since Jan. 28 after she reportedly had a dispute with her boyfriend, The Columbus Dispatch reports.
Her car was found abandoned near the Scioto Mile in downtown Columbus, Ohio, but there was no trace of Evans.
The night she disappeared, investigators searched the area along the river with canine units and a sheriff’s office drone, Commander Alex Behnen of the police Special Victims Bureau told the paper.
In the days and weeks that followed, the dive team made additional searches for Evans but the search effort was impaired by weather and water conditions.
Her mother, Tonya Fischer, reported receiving a text message from her daughter the night she disappeared that read, “I love you and I’m sorry,” WBNS reports.
Police said at the time of her disappearance that there were no known domestic violence issues between Evans and her boyfriend and there was no reason to suspect any foul play, the newspaper reported at the time.
Evans was known in Columbus for her extensive community activism efforts. She helped organize protests at Columbus City Hall and was also heavily involved with the People’s Justice Project.
Shortly before her death, she had been named the executive director of the Juvenile Justice Coalition.
Tyan Krafoff, lead organizer for Showing Up for Racial Justice Columbus, released a statement saying the organization is “heartbroken” at the loss.
“We've organized very closely with Amber and People's Justice Project the past three years fighting for justice for countless victims of police brutality,” he wrote. “We will honor Amber's legacy by continuing to fight for a world where Black lives matter and fight for a Columbus for all.”
He described Evans as extremely disciplined and dedicated to making a better world.
“She treated everyone with dignity and when you spoke, it always felt like she truly was listening. She was a fighter and we will continue her legacy.”
Her mother has posted a video on her social media account Sunday asking for a “moment” to grieve.
"I'm coming on here as a mother ... who has just found out that I lost my first-born child," she said according to WSYX/WTTE. "I love you all, and you all know I'm more than willing to accept all that you have to give ... but just give me a moment. Just a moment. Give my family a moment.”
