St. Louis County Official, 37, Abruptly Dies a Year After First 💉
Cora Faith Walker, a high-profile Missouri official and former state lawmaker, is dead at 37.
Walker was chief policy officer in St. Louis County, a former Democratic state representative and a health care and reproductive rights advocate. She died Friday morning.
A cause of death was not announced, but Walker was reportedly transported to the hospital for an urgent health complication.
Walker’s death prompted condolences and expressions of grief from lawmakers, progressive activists and others in St. Louis and across Missouri.
We are heartbroken to hear of Cora Faith Walker’s passing. We are honored to have had the opportunity to work closely with her. She will be remembered as a trailblazer who empowered women and she will be sorely missed.
— United WE (@UnitedWeEmpower) March 12, 2022
Walker, of Ferguson, led policy direction for County Executive Sam Page’s administration since 2019, and was one of three top county staffers reporting directly to Page for much of that period.
We are devestated to learn of Cora Faith Walker’s passing. She was a perfect example of a dedicated public servant who deeply cared for the St. Louis community. We’ve lost someone very special and too soon.
— Missouri Democrats (@MoDemParty) March 11, 2022
“We are devastated to learn of Cora Faith Walker’s passing,” the Missouri Democratic Party said in a tweet.
Walker was a known proponent of mRNA jabs. She received her first COVID shot in March 2021, after which she admitted to experiencing side effects.
I was fortunate enough to receive my first covid vaccine dose on Thursday evening. Although I experienced some side effects yesterday, all I'm feeling today is immense gratitude. 🙏🏾
— 💉😷Cora Faith Walker, Esq., MPH😷💉 (@CoraFaith4MO) March 20, 2021
A sobering — and preventable — reality. Please get vaccinated and mask up. https://t.co/Ao4FgHlqrp
— 💉😷Cora Faith Walker, Esq., MPH😷💉 (@CoraFaith4MO) August 13, 2021
Has #AbortionIsHealthcare in bio but doesn’t think you should be able to choose to be vaccinated or not.
Irony is not dead America. https://t.co/l6lQ5aPEF0
— BD (@brettdinkins) November 30, 2021
The AG & I went to the same law school. Over the past 20+ years, our alma mater, @SLULAW has consistently been ranked as the top health law program in the U.S.
Vaccines work — & vaccine requirements have been upheld by SCOTUS for more than a century.
The man knows better. https://t.co/GzEGLOrshh
— 💉😷Cora Faith Walker, Esq., MPH😷💉 (@CoraFaith4MO) November 29, 2021
Walker earned a Bachelor of Arts and master’s in public health from Washington University in St. Louis. She earned a law degree from St. Louis University School of Law with a certificate in health law.
✅ @beatsbydre
✅ Mask 😷
✅ Shades 😎
✅ Shade 🌴Wheels up. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/vnDtAI72s4
— 💉😷Cora Faith Walker, Esq., MPH😷💉 (@CoraFaith4MO) March 4, 2022
Walker did not appear to suffer from obesity.
Happiest birthday wishes to @tishaura — one of the best mentors and friends a girl could ask for! May your day and your year be filled with love, Sr.! #JrLovesSr #OffTheCliff 🥳 pic.twitter.com/WUK9YHDWfd
— 💉😷Cora Faith Walker, Esq., MPH😷💉 (@CoraFaith4MO) March 10, 2022
Before she joined the House, in September 2016, Walker wrote a public letter to House leaders alleging Steven Roberts Jr., who was also running unopposed for the House, of raping her in his apartment after a night out together. Roberts, D-St. Louis, denied the claims and contended that he and Walker had consensual sex.
No criminal charges were filed after a special prosecutor determined there was not enough evidence to indicate the sexual relations were not consensual.
Roberts later filed a defamation suit against Walker in October 2016. Walker then countersued Roberts in 2017. Both dismissed their lawsuits later in May 2019.