Police: Body recovered from Scioto River identified as Amber Evans
Amber Evans. (Courtesy: Tonya Fischer)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — Grief-stricken reactions poured in Sunday as police shared that a body recovered in the Scioto River the day before was positively identified as Amber Evans.
A police news release said the department's "thoughts and prayers" go out to the Evans' family.
Evans, 28, was a well-known local organizer working with a multitude of social justice groups. She had been reported missing in late January after what police referred to as a domestic dispute. Her empty, abandoned car was found near the Scioto Mile in downtown.
Evans' mother, Tonya Fischer, had spoken with ABC 6/FOX 28 on several occasions, pleading for her daughter's safe return.
Sunday, she took to social media to ask for privacy and quiet during her family's mourning.
"I'm coming on here as a mother... who has just found out that I lost my first-born child," Fischer said on an emotional Facebook Live video. "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."
The social justice organization "Showing Up for Racial Justice" released a lengthy statement through lead organizer Tynan Krakoff on Sunday.
SURJ is heartbroken at the loss of Amber Evans and at a loss for words. 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. We will honor Amber's legacy by continuing to fight for a world where Black lives matter and fight for a Columbus for all.
Anyone who knew Amber knows that she was extremely disciplined and dedicated to struggling for 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.
One way the community can honor Amber Evans is to get involved in the fight for racial justice. If Amber were alive, she would be fighting right now for campaigns like the one to free Masonique Saunders, or fighting to push Ron O'Brien out of office. One of the last things I heard Amber say was that we need to keep Ron O'Brien from getting re-elected next year. Ron O'Brien has been county prosecutor since 1996 but has never indicted a single police officer for a shooting.
ABC 6/FOX 28 will continue to follow and update this story.
