Content Warning: This case contains topics about LQBTQIA2+ violence and hate. Transgender violence and hatred. Discrimination and Black Lives.
Elise L. Malary
I. Introduction
This episode is about Elise Lydia Malary, a trans activist from Chicago who worked as a Community Outreach Specialist. Tragically, her body was found in Lake Michigan 6 days after she was reported missing. This post will provide an overview of her life and accomplishments as well as discuss the impact of her death on the trans community in Chicago.
A. Overview of Elise Malary:
Elise Lydia Malary was 31 years old, born March 29, 1990, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, Malary may have had Haitian roots based on her memorial page. Previously she had lived in Andersonville. Elise attended UIC University of Illinois Chicago in 2014 before becoming an active member of the LGBTQ+ community. After coming out as transgender at age 18, she became an advocate for other members of her community who were facing discrimination or marginalization due to their gender identity or expression. In addition to running workshops on topics such as self-care, mental health awareness, and intersectional feminism, Elise also serves on several boards that promote inclusion within the city’s LGBT+ population.
Late February (Estimated)
Malary's father passes away. Also, around this time, Malary tells her friends that she needs some personal space.
"Malary "doesn't tend to go off the radar completely," said her best friend, Angelina Nordstrom."
"But there has been no instance where there has been no contact with her whatsoever," Nordstrom said. "… This whole thing is completely unlike her."
March 8th-9th, 2022 (Estimated)
Malary quits her job as an administrative clerk at the Civil Rights Bureau Of the Illinois Attorney General's office via e-mail. This information is told to Fabiana Malary after they search Malary's apartment later. There is conflicting information on if she quit on the 8th or the day she went missing.
"That was a rather shocking thing for me, because she loves her job so much," Fabiana Malary said. "I'm very confused with what's been going on and I'm still trying to put the pieces together to figure out where my sister is."
March 9, 2022 (Wednesday)
Malary pays her sister Fabiana Malary's bills and usually reports back with receipts. At first, Fabiana had not heard from her sister about this, but around 9:00 am, Fabiana and Malary were talking about Fabiana's mortgage payment. "I am going to pay it sis." was the last known text sent by Malary. Then by 9:00 pm, all texts and calls from Malary had stopped.
"Usually Elise is very organized and sends me receipts when she pays everything," Fabiana Malary said. "I started to get worried because she didn't do that, and when her phone started going straight to voicemail, I got really worried."
"I have been calling her phone and I have not been able to get in contact with her," Fabiana said. "It has been very scary."
March 9-11th 2022 (Estimated Time)
In two different news sources, the police tell the paper about two separate locations for Malary's last seen location.
700 block of Hinman Avenue and the other Near her apartment near the border of Rodgers Park. These two locations are about 27 minutes apart.
March 10, 2022
Fabiana Malary had the apartment checked before the police arrived. Malary lived alone, and building management checked on her finding the apartment unlocked. The mobile phone and laptops Malary used for work were left behind.
March 11, 2022 (Friday)
Malary was reported missing by her sister Fabiana Malary.
Missing person signs were posted all over town for Malary and remained up even after her body had been discovered.
Meanwhile, family and friends searched Cook County's Rogers Park neighborhood, canvassing local businesses and passing out flyers to raise awareness about Malary.
"I'm just so overjoyed that my sister has so many people that love her," Fabiana Malary told ABC Chicago. "I want people to know that Black trans lives matter, my sister's life matters, and I'm gonna do whatever it takes."
The family also checked Haward Red Line after they got a tip that Malary was seen in the area with two men.
March 15, 2022 (Late Tuesday Afternoon)
Malary's locked dark blue 2008 Honda Accord was found in a parking lot on the same street she had lived. Malary's car was in a municipal parking lot just off Lake Michigan beachfront in Evanston. It was at Hinman Avenue and South Boulevard, according to police. This is near the second-last-seen location as well.
Family, friends, and the community try and gain traction to find Malary.
"I want to sound the alarm to my trans community," Alexis Martinez, Court Support Coordinator with Transformative Justice Law Project, shared on Facebook. "Elise Malary, a dear friend, has gone missing for more than 48 hours. Her family has filed a missing person alert with the Evanston PD."
Police search for surveillance footage of the area. Police searched the vehicle but found no leads or anything leading to foul play.
Police also searched her home; both front and back doors were unlocked but found no leads or evidence of foul play.
"That is very unusual with my sister," Fabiana told CBS. "She's always on top of her safety. She never plays about that."
March 16, 2022 (Wednesday) (Estimated Time)
Malary "faced some personal loss in recent months" and "also occasionally expressed concerns about her safety," according to a Chicago Therapy Collective statement released Wednesday.
In a gofundme for funeral expenses run by Fabiana Malary, the description expands further on the possible personal losses. The sisters had lost their father in early February, and Malary died only a few days after their father's funeral. https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-for-elise-malary
Online flyers were being shared as well. https://twitter.com/maxlubbers/status/1504130957280006150?lang=en
March 17, 2022 (Thursday) (Warning Some Graphic Description)
A body was discovered on the lakefront rocks near Garden Park in Evanston in the 500 block of Sheridan Square. The young man Tristan Lambach (Ruth Lambach's grandson), who found the body, was 19 and back from Switzerland. They were walking with a friend on their last day in the USA.
"He saw the legs first, but he was he was pretty shocked. And I think he was stunned into silence for the next couple days," she said
The body had been on the shoreline but also in the water.
"Her head was evidently faced down in the water," Lambach. "I know Tristan told me she had socks on, and he couldn't understand that. Because, he was also, sort of, going through his mind and he didn't think it was a drowning. He thought maybe someone pushed her in, or maybe she accidentally fell in."
Police respond to the reports around 4:30 pm
Evanston Fire Department recovered Malary from the water and transported her to Cook County Medical Examiner's office.
Malary's body was only blocks from her apartment.
The family asks the public for help with information and tips. Andre Vasquez, the city alderperson, tells people to call him if they have information. https://www.facebook.com/andre.vasquez.904/posts/2308998172575157
March 18, 2022
Cook County Medical examiner conducted the autopsy, but the cause of death was not determined publicly.
March 19, 2022 (Evanston, Ill.) (Saturday)
A second search was scheduled for the day. 5228 N Clark from 11 am-2 pm
https://www.facebook.com/andre.vasquez.904/posts/2308998172575157
The body in the Lake was identified as Elise Malary's by Evanston police.
https://www.kcrg.com/2022/03/21/transgender-advocates-body-found-shore-lake-michigan/
Her death comes only a few days after her father's funeral. One or two days after quitting a job she loved, A few days before her birthday, and also she was supposed to be given Trans Visibility Award on March 31, 2022
B. Background on the circumstances surrounding her body being found in Lake Michigan:
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 medical examiner’s office was unable to rule if her death was accidental or not.
This section of the blog will discuss details about how and when Elise Malary’s body was found in Lake Michigan. It will cover information such as where she was last seen, any suspicious activity that may have been reported prior to her disappearance, and any evidence or clues found at the scene of her discovery. This section will also explore potential causes for why Elise's body ended up in Lake Michigan, including theories from law enforcement officials, family members, and friends who knew her best. Finally, this part of the blog will include a discussion of what steps are currently being taken to investigate this case further.
II. Impact of Elise Malary's Work:
Elise Malary had an impressive and essential career.
Chicago Therapy Collective, Equality Illinois, and the AIDS Foundation of ChicagoMalary's Malary had studied at the University of Illinois Chicago. Volunteered with places like "Proud To Run Chicago ". She was a well-known and fierce advocate for Transgender rights and all LGBTQ. Malary, among others, helped organize those who rallied around Andersonville bookstore Women and Children First in 2019 when anti-trans stickers were put on the windows. The Chicago Therapy Collective was above the bookstore.
Elise Malary is a trans activist and community leader based in Chicago. She has dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of transgender people, particularly those living in the Windy City. Elise works with local organizations to create safe spaces for trans individuals, as well as providing education and support services. Her work has been instrumental in bringing visibility to the struggles of trans individuals and their families.
Malary impacted the world around her, and people shared their sorrow at her passing. There are so many more quotes and love from everyone that I could not gather them all to share here!
This section will discuss the impact that Elise Malary had on her local community and beyond as a trans activist and Community Outreach Specialist in Chicago. We will explore how she worked to raise awareness about transgender issues, create safe spaces for members of the LGBTQ+ community, and provide support to those in need. Additionally, we will examine how her untimely death has left a void in the city’s activism scene and what steps can be taken to honor her legacy going forward.
A. Elise's Role as Community Outreach Specialist for the community:
Elise Malary was a prominent trans activist in Chicago and served as a Community Outreach Specialist to advocate for her community’s rights and needs. She worked tirelessly to make sure that the voices of marginalized groups were heard, while also providing resources and support to those who needed it most.
Elise Malary was a passionate trans activist and Community Outreach Specialist in Chicago. She dedicated her life to helping the transgender community, and her activism has helped to shape the lives of many trans individuals in the city.
III. Legacy of Elise Malary:
“Elise was a beautiful soul,” said Zahara Bassett, a friend of Malary, and founder and CEO of Life Is Work, a nonprofit supporting transgender and non-binary persons of color on Chicago’s West Side. “Anyone that came in contact with her, (her) soul was something that you would always remember and hold on to forever.”
In recent years, Elise has become increasingly vocal about issues related to police brutality against transgender people; particularly those from marginalized backgrounds such as Black and Latinx communities. She regularly speaks out about how law enforcement officers often fail to recognize or respect gender identities when dealing with suspects or victims of crime – something which can lead to further mistreatment or even violence against transgender individuals by police officers themselves.
Malary had been an outspoken advocate for transgender rights since coming out as trans in 2017. She actively participated in protests, rallies and other public events to draw attention to issues faced by transgender individuals. In addition to her activism, she was also involved with several organizations dedicated to helping trans people gain access to resources such as housing and healthcare.
As a Community Outreach Specialist, she was dedicated to providing resources and support to trans individuals in the city. Her death has left a void that can never be filled, but her legacy of advocacy for the rights of trans people will live on. Through her work with organizations such as TransTech Social Enterprises and TransLife Center, she helped create safe spaces for members of the community to access healthcare and other services they need. She also worked tirelessly to raise awareness about issues facing transgender people in Chicago through public speaking engagements, media appearances, and social media campaigns. Her memory will continue to inspire generations of activists working towards creating an equitable society where all gender identities are respected and celebrated.
Elise is one of several people who will receive a Transgender Visibility Award at the upcoming Chicago Trans Visibility Pageant on March 31, 2022—which is Transgender Day of Visibility—organized by Life is Work, a Black- and Brown-, trans-led social services agency on the West Side.
This section will explore the legacy that Elise Malary left behind in her work as a trans activist and Community Outreach Specialist in Chicago. We will discuss the impact she had on those around her, how her death has been mourned, and what can be done to continue her mission of advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. Additionally, we will look at how people are honoring Elise’s memory through memorials, public service projects, and other initiatives dedicated to preserving her legacy.
A. The memorials and tributes that have been created to honor Elise Malary's memory include: a vigil in Chicago, where hundreds of people gathered to remember her life and legacy; the creation of a scholarship fund in her name at Columbia College Chicago, which will provide financial support for trans students pursuing higher education; the establishment of an annual award by the Trans Justice Project in her honor; and a mural dedicated to her memory painted on the side of a building in Little Village, Chicago. Elise Malary Mural Fundraiser - Chicago Therapy Collective Currently standing at $4,755 of $10,000 raised as of this recording.
March 20, 2022
Family, friends, and community gather together to memorialize Malary. Over one hundred people arrived. The vigil was in Andersonville, where Malary had previously lived. It was at sunset at the Woman And Children First Bookstore, 5233 N. Clark St. The brick wall there had been messages for her and the community she fought for. Cello and violin music played as they laid their flowers there and messages. Then they held candles and walked to a fire burning a couple of blocks away as "Amazing Grace" played.
Above the bookstore was the Chicago Therapy Collective. A place where Malary was a "key player" and founding member. Her photo is still on the website member list. https://chicagotherapycollective.org/team/
Among her friends and family sharing their sadness were members of the government.
Governor JB Pritzker
"The loss of Elise Malary is heartbreaking. My heart goes out to all her loved ones, as well as all of Illinois' transgender community. You deserve to feel safe in your home, and I will continue to do everything in my power to make Illinois welcoming and inclusive for everyone."
Attorney General Kwame Raoul said, "The attorney general's office has lost a member of our family. And may Elise's memory inspire all of us to live authentically and have humanity toward all.
The Chicago Therapy Collective said,
"The outpouring of love, care and community response reflects the deep impact of Elise's love and advocacy on so many of us," the collective wrote. "We hope that you are taking tender care of one another. If you need support, please reach out to us."
May 5, 2022
Visitation
May 6, 2022
Funeral Services for Malary, and she was committed to burial.
November 20, 2022
Fridged temperatures do not keep friends and family from gathering in Andersonville to honor Elise Malary's memory. Chicago therapy Collective organized the event Brave Space Alliance, and Life is Work. It is Trans Day Of Remembrance, and they discuss Malary's call to action for trans rights.
At this point, Malary's cause of death, "drowning," had been released, but no other information or circumstances around her suspicious end have been.
Motive
Malary's sister suggested that Malary was a target because of her status in the LGBTQ community.
B. The lasting impact Elise Malary will have on the trans community in Chicago is immense. Her death has sparked outrage among members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies across the nation.
I couldn't collect all of how Malary had impacted her community with her work because it was so vast. Everywhere I turned on the internet, I saw countless articles about her tremendous spirit and advocacy.
The cause of her death is still under investigation but many are speculating that it may have been related to hate crimes against trans people or even suicide due to discrimination she faced because of her gender identity. Whatever the cause may be, Malary's death has highlighted how much more work needs to be done when it comes to protecting vulnerable populations like the transgender community from violence and prejudice.
In response, members of the LGBTQ+ community have come together in solidarity with Malary’s family and friends in mourning her loss while continuing their fight for greater acceptance and understanding of all genders identities throughout society. The hashtag #JusticeForElise has been trending on social media platforms as a way for people around the world show their support for Malary’s memory and remind us all that we must continue working towards creating a safer world for everyone regardless of who they are or what they believe in.
Elise Malary's case is currently under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Evanston Police Detective Bureau at 847-866-5040. Tips can also be texted to 274637 if the message starts with "EPDTIP."
For everyone: The Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860) provides crisis and non-crisis peer-support services for people who are transgender, non-binary, and questioning their gender identity.
Another Similiar Case: Tatiana "Tee Tee" Labelle
https://howardbrown.org/mourning-the-loss-of-tatiana-labelle-and-elise-malary/
Elise Malary Obituary - Chicago, IL (dignitymemorial.com)
Comments
Post a Comment