BY AJ TRAGER
UPDATE as of Dec. 24 Ralko was found dead in his vehicle in the Meijer parking lot at 13 mile and Mound on Dec. 23., according to Louis Galasso, Warren police deputy commissioner. Police suspect suicide.
Ralko's sister Molly posted on Facebook that she was proud to be his sister and that Ralko had been through a lot.
"Not many people would be able to get through what he has," she wrote. "He has struggled with so much in the last few years. My only wish now is that all the pain has gone away and he has found peace."
Ralko, last seen on Dec. 10, had a long history of battling bipolar disorder and depression. Most research suggests that the LGBT community is more likely to suffer from a mental illness and one study suggests that LGBT identified individuals are two and a half times more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to suffer from a mental illness, National Alliance of Mental Illness reports.
"We have lost a wonderful member of the transgender community. Jay Ralko was a very kind person. He worked at bringing the community together. He helped so many people come out and will be missed by many. As Executive Director of Transgender Michigan I wish that all members of the community were as dedicated and kind as Jay was," Rachel Crandal, executive director of Transgender Michigan said in a Facebook message to the T community.
While the Center for Disease Control reports that suicide rates are lowest in the month of December, mental illness remains a continuous struggle for many members of the LGBT community. The Transgender Helpline, for trans identified individuals and the Trevor Project, for LGBT youth, are two resources one can utilize during difficult times dealing with thoughts of suicide or self harm.
WARREN – The Warren Police Department is looking for a missing person: Jay Ralko, 22-year-old trans man, from Warren. He was last seen on Dec. 10.
Ralko went missing last Wednesday after leaving a note for his one roommate to take care of Xena, Ralko's dog, for a few days. The last call on his phone was made to Sherri, his mother at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10. Sherri Scott Amorello has contacted family, friends and community organizations for support in finding her son. His phone is being monitored but has received no activity since he went missing.
Ralko stands approximately 5' tall and weighs 120 lbs. Ralko drives a charcoal gray Ford Escape with Mich. license plate no. CJK7951. The car has chrome pipe running boards and rain deflectors on the windows. Ralko's place of employment has been very cooperative during this process and has posted flyers in many locations.
"I told him this morning. 'I'm coming for you. You're not hiding from me,'" Amorello said to BTL. "We talk all the time. He wasn't feeling good that week."
Ralko's one sister has not heard from him since the afternoon of Dec. 10.
Join the Facebook page Please Help Find Jay Ralko and get the word out to help find this missing member of the LGBT community.
Contact the Warren Police Dept. at 586-574-4700 with any information regarding Ralko's whereabouts. Amorello can be reached at 313-399-6565.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
