Sheila Abdus-Salaam, the first Muslim female judge to be seated in the United States, was found dead, floating in the Hudson River on Wednesday. Abdus-Salaam was reported missing from her home in Harlem earlier in the day, officials confirmed. She was 65.
Abdus-Salaam was also noted as being the first African-American New York State Court Justice. She was elected to the New York State Supreme Court in 1993. At the time of her passing, Abdus-Salaam was serving on the New York State Court of Appeals.
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According to News 4 New York, a call was made to the NYPD regarding a body floating in the Hudson River near West 132nd Street and Henry Hudson Parkway. They identified the victim as Abdus-Salaam, and her husband confirmed that his wife was the deceased victim.
Abdus-Salaam’s body showed no signs of trauma, and she will be transferred to a medical center to determine the official cause of death. “Through her writings, her wisdom, and her unshakable moral compass, she was a force for good whose legacy will be felt for years to come,” said N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “I was proud to appoint her to the state’s highest court and am deeply saddened by her passing.” h/t vibe
Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this difficult time.