Sheila Abdus-Salaam

Sheila Abdus-Salaam (Sheila Turner; born on March 14, 1952 – April 12, 2017)[1] was an American judge. Sheila served as a judge on the New York Court of Appeals. She was the first black woman and Muslim[1][2] to be appointed to a seat on New York's highest court, and the first Muslim woman to serve on the bench in the United States.[1]

Sheila Abdus-Salaam
Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals
In office
May 6, 2013 – April 12, 2017
Appointed byAndrew Cuomo
Preceded byTheodore Jones
Personal details
Born
Sheila Turner

(1952-03-14)March 14, 1952
Washington, D.C., U.S.
DiedApril 12, 2017(2017-04-12) (aged 65)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Alma materBarnard College
Columbia University

Abdus-Salaam was found dead on April 12, 2017 at the age of 65. Her body was found floating in the Manhattan side of the Hudson River hours after she was reported missing from her home in Harlem.[1][3]

Police believe Abdus-Salaam committed suicide by jumping into the river as she was suffering from depression for a long time.[4]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Adams Otis, Ginger; Annese, John; Slattery, Denis (April 12, 2017). "Appeals court judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam found dead on Hudson River shore". New York Daily News. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  2. "Senator Parker Commends the Nomination of Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam: Congratulates the Governor on Selecting the First African American Woman Justice for New York's High Court". Press release. April 11, 2013. https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kevin-s-parker/senator-parker-commends-nomination-judge-sheila-abdus-salaam. Retrieved April 13, 2017. 
  3. Moore, Tina; Celona, Larry; Cohen, Shawn; Perez, Chris (April 12, 2017). "Judge Washes up Dead Along the Hudson River". New York Post. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  4. "Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam likely committed suicide, police say". Retrieved 13 April 2017.

Other websites