The body of Columbus activist Amber Evans was found in the Scioto River this weekend, Columbus Police said in a press release Sunday.
Evans, a 28-year-old African-American woman, had been missing since Monday, Jan. 28, when police found her car near the Scioto Mile in downtown Columbus.
At the time, police reported Evans was last seen wearing a white parka and black leggings, and that she recently had a “dispute with her boyfriend.” Authorities considered her a “distraught high risk missing person.”
Diving teams searching the Scioto River recovered a body Saturday. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office and detectives identified the body as Evans, and police say they notified her family.
“While this is not the outcome we had hoped for, we understand this brings closure to the family, and our thoughts and prayers go out to them,” police said in a statement.
*UPDATE 3/24/19: The body recovered yesterday, Saturday, 3/23/19 has been positively identified as 28yo Amber Evans. The family has been notified.
— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) March 24, 2019
While this is not the outcome we hoped for, we understand this brings closure for the family. Our thoughts & prayers go out to them. https://t.co/YF2iAS4LSN
Evans, a graduate of The Ohio State University and Kent State University, served as executive director of the Juvenile Justice Coalition in Columbus. While her case garnered national attention, activists criticized Columbus Police for the prolonged investigation. Police say river conditions delayed their search.
This story may be updated with more information.
