Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

The trial of a man in Michigan brought to light the 2023 death off a trans woman, Amira O’Neiill.

Ronnie Magbray, 28, is charged with open murder and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly killing Amira. Reporting by MichiganLive helped us learn about Amira.

Amira O’Neill, 44, was fatally stabbed early Thursday, July 6, 2023 in the 2000 block of International Drive in Ypsilanti Township. The stabbing led to a multi-hour standoff after Ronnie Magbray, 27, suspected in the stabbing, barricaded himself in a nearby apartment.

Some media, law enforcement, and the defendant deadname and cisgender Amira. Her family does not seem to do that.

Honoring Amira

Amira was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She spent time traveling, according to her sister, living briefly in California with her father and other years on “the hippie kind” of communes and co-op living spaces,

Amira had an ear for picking up languages. Her sister Alexis said she learned Arabic when she began practicing Islam, simply from being around practitioners. She was known for her willingness to help people, her sister said. When someone was in trouble, she would often show up unprompted to help.

She went to Community High School. She studied at Washtenaw Community College Writing Center. She recently described herself as ‘Back of house and delightful vibes bringer’ at Panera Bread.

Amira was survived by one son.

At the time of her death, Amira’s family cremated her body and planned to honor her wished by scattering her ashes in the ocean so she could fulfill her goal to travel.

The Context

In 2023, we memorialized 44, now 45, transgender neighbors. Amira was the 45th trans, gender nonconforming, and non binary individual murdered in the US during 2023. She is also the 35th trans woman on this list for 2023.

Also in 2023, we reported on the deaths of Ashia Davis and Jean Thomas Butchart, In 2022, Ray Muscat Hayden Davis, and Naomie Skinner were reported.

In 2024, we documented the killing of Tahiry ‘Tokyo’ Broom  in Detroit.

Rest in power, Amira. I regret that it took this long to honor your life and acknowledge your death. You deserved more time to enjoy the life you had built.

May your memory be a revolution.

Deaths reported in 2025

1. Tahiry ‘Tokyo’ Broom – February 9, 2025. Detroit, Michigan. Age 29.
2. Sam Nordquist – February 2025. Canandaigua, New York. Age 24.
3. Amyri Dior – February 21, 2025. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Age 23.
4. Ervianna ‘Baydee’ Johnsonn – February 19, 2025. Tabor City, North Carolina. Age 25.

Other deaths I’ve reported during 2025

• Elisa Rae Shupe – January 27, 2025. Syracuse, New York. Age 61.
• Chilendrina Gracia Dominguez – January 18, 2021. Reported February 2025. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Age 42.
• Amira O’Neill – July 6, 2023. Ann Arbor, Michigan. Age 44.