Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

On Monday, November 23, Chae’Meshia Simms was killed in Richmond, Virginia. She was found dead in the driver’s seat of her mother’s car at 6 AM. The car wrecked while moving and police responded.

Police said they have identified the victim of a homicide on Cheatwood Avenue in Richmond’s North Side.About 5:40 a.m. Monday, officers went to the 800 block of Cheatwood Avenue after receiving a report of a vehicle crashing into a structure. First responders found Chae’Meshia Simms inside the vehicle, which had struck a detached garage in an alley. Police said Simms had suffered a gunshot wound and was the vehicle’s sole occupant.

Chae’Meshia was a Black trans woman in her 30’s with her exact age unknown. She was known as ChaeChae. Born and raised in Richmond, she had family that loved her including her godchild. Her social media feeds are filled with funny, sweet, and tender images.

Her birthday appears to be on or near to August 2, based on this sobering post from August 2, 2020. I may be reading into her caption, but I’m sure Chae’Meshia knew very well that the average lifespan of Black trans women in the United States is 35, according to GLAAD.

Advocates and family in Richmond held a vigil to honor her life. Police are waiting on the coroner’s report.

According to Blavity.com

Providing one of the few details in the case, police said a man was seen leaving the area on foot after the shooting. Investigators also said the incident may have occurred between 5 a.m. and 6:15 a.m. Residents are asked to check their surveillance cameras and report any suspicious activity occurring around that time.

Chae’Meshia is the 39th victim of this epidemic of transphobic violence engulfing the nation. She is the 25th Black trans person and the 22st Black trans woman murdered in the US that we know of in 2020.

She deserved better.

I do not have any details on final arrangements, but will monitor the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Major Crimes Detective M. Godwin at (804) 646-5533 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

Rest in power, Chae’Meshia. Your life should continue to see many more birthdays, more loving moments. May the person responsible for ripping you from your life be held accountable and may your memory be a revolution.

My list of transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary neighbors who have lost their lives to violent deaths in the US during 2020.

1. Dustin Parker – McAlester, Oklahoma. January 1, 2020. Age 25.
2. Alexa Negron Luciano – Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. February 24, 2020. Age 29.
3. Yampi Mendez Arocho – Moca, Puerto Rico, March 5, 2020. Age 19.
4. Monica Diamond – Charlotte, North Carolina. March 18, 2020. Age 34.
5. Lexi – Harlem, New York City, New York. March 28, 2020. Age 33.
6. Johanna Metzger – Baltimore, Maryland. April 1, 2020. Age 25.
7. Serena Angelique Velazquezz – Puerto Rico. April 22, 2020. Age 32.
8. Layla Pelaez – Puerto Rico. April 22, 2020. Age 21.
9. Penélope Díaz Ramírez – Puerto Rico. April 13, 2020. Age 31
10. Nina Pop – Sikeston, Missouri. May 3, 2020. Age 28.
11. Helle Jae O’Regan – San Antonio, Texas. May 6, 2020. Age 20.
12. Tony McDade – Tallahassee, Florida. May 27, 2020. Age 38.
13. Dominique Rem’mie Fells – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. June 8, 2020. Age 27.
14. Riah Milton – Liberty Township, Ohio. June 9, 2020. Age 25.
15. Selena Reyes Hernandez – Chicago. May 31, 2020. Age 37.
16. Brayla Stone – Sherwood, Arkansas. June 25, 2020. Age 17.
17. Merci Mack – Dallas, June 30, 2020. Age 22.
18. Jayne Thompson – Colorado, May 2020. Age 33.
19. Bree Black – Pompana Beach, Florida, July 3, 2020. Age 27.
20. Draya McCarty – Baton Rouge, Louisiana, July 2020. Age unknown.
21. Shaki Peters – Amite, Louisiana, July 1, 2020. Age 32.
22. Marilyn Cazares – Brawley, California, July 13, 2020. Age 22.
23. Tatiana Hall – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, approx June 29, 2020. Age 22.
24. Queasha Hardy – Baton Rouge, Louisiana, July 27, 2020. Age 24.
25. Tiffany Harris – Bronx, New York, July 26, 2020. Age 32.
26. Aja Raquell Rhone-Spears – Portland, Oregon, July 28, 2020. Age 32.
27. Aerrion Burnett – Independence, Missouri, September 19, 2020. Age 37.
28. Mia Green – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 28, 2020. Age 29.
29. Michelle Ramos Vargas – Puerto Rico, September 30, 2020. Age 33.
30. Kee Sam – Lafayette, Louisiana, August 12, 2020. Age 24.
31. Felycya Harris – Augusta, Georgia, October 3, 2020. Age 32.
32. Brooklyn DeShauna Smith – Shreveport, Louisiana, October 7, 2020. Age 20.
33. Sara Blackwood – Indianapolis, Indiana, October 11, 2020. Age 39.
34. Angel Haynes – Memphis, Tennessee, October 25, 2020. Age 25.
35. Lea Rayshone Daye – Cleveland, Ohio, August 30, 2020. Age 28.
36. Scott DeVore, also known as Scottlynn Kelly DeVore – Augusta, Georgia, March 31, 2020. Age 51
37. Yunieski Carey Herrera – Miami, November 17, 2020. Age 39.
38. Asia Jynaé Foster – Houston, Texas, November 20, 2020. Age 22.
39. Chae’Meshia Simms – Richmond, Texas, November 23, 2020. Age: 39.

We are also monitoring these suspicious deaths

• Skylar Heath – Miami, November 4, 2020. Age 20.

• Fendi Mon’ezah Armstrong – Lithonia, Georgia, November 11, 2020. Age 39.