Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Her name was Sherlyn Marjorie. She was a Latina trans woman, just 35 years old when she was found dead alongside a road in Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 26, 2023. She had been missing since September 16, 2023.

The Crime

The man who murdered Sherlyn was arrested on October 12. He claims they had an intimate relationship and she was ‘threatening’ to tell his wife unless he paid her $5000. I guess that speaks volumes about his value of both trans women and his intimate partners. There was no corroborating evidence backing up the extortion claims provided in court records.

Jose Mendoza Espinoza was taken into custody following the search for questioning. He told police that he had a sexual relationship with Marjorie and confessed also to compensating her.

Espinoza also told police that he killed Marjorie after she threatened to inform his family of their relationship. He is now charged with murder and four counts of tampering with evidence.

Sherlyn’s family kept looking for her once they realized she was missing. From Yahoo News

Marjorie was initially reported missing to the Albuquerque Police Department after she was last seen on Sept. 16, according to court records. On Sept. 26, a search party of family and friends, having first found her car, discovered her body in a tunnel underneath Central at 136th NW.

The group told deputies they recognized the acrylic nails on her fingers. They found her beaten to death inside the tunnel, bound in tape and plastic.

Honoring Sherlyn

Friends have organized a ‘performance extravaganza‘ on October 21, 2023 in her honor. On Saturday, they organized a benefit car wash to help with her funeral expenses. Friends have repeatedly noted that journalist Mayra Aguilar of Telemundo Nuevo México was the only reporter covering Sherlyn’s death. On October 15, friends gathered to create a roadside memorial and saying the rosary near where her body was found.

Sherlyn was a drag performer. Her last performance was in Rio Rancho the night she disappeared. According to her social media profiles, she has lived in Tijuana, California as well as Mexico City. Most recently, she lived in Albuquerque. Her social media featured the quote “El beso es el regalo del niño, la bendición de los padres y la mascara del hipócrita” that translates to “The kiss is the gift of the child, the blessing of the parents and the mask of the hypocrite.”

Sherlyn identified as an artist. Her likes included local restaurants, female public figures and models, as well as celebrating Pride.

Sherlyn is the 28th trans or gender nonconforming person whose violent death has been reported in 2023. She is the 14th trans woman, and the fourth person born outside the US who relocated here. She is the 5th trans person of Latinx descent and the 18th trans person of color“Reported* is an important distinction to make as we know there are more folx whose deaths go unacknowledged.

Rest in power Sherlyn. I hope you knew that your friends were coming for you and found vital clues. They never gave up on you and continue to show up to ensure a proper farewell. You will be remembered forever by your community and loved ones. I am so very sorry we did not create a safer world for you. Thank you for the beautfy and joy you brought to all of us.

May your memory be a revolution.

This is our list

This is our list of transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming neighbors who have been victims of the campaign of terror in 2023. Please do not copy, modify, or share this list without attribution.

1. Jasmine ‘Star’ Mack – District of Columbia, January 7, 2023. Age 36.
2. KC Johnson – Wilmington, North Carolina, January 13, 2023. Age 27.
3. Tortuguita – Weelaunee Forest, Georgia, January 18, 2023. Age 26.
4. Unique Banks – Chicago, Illinois, January 23, 2023. Age 21.
5. Zachee Imanitwitaho – Louisville, Kentucky, February 3, 2023. Age 26.
6. Maria Jose Rivera Rivera – Houston, Texas, January 21, 2023. Age 22.
7. Cashay Henderson – Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 27, 2023. Age 31.
8. Tasiyah ‘Siyah’ Woodland – Mechanicsville, Maryland, March 24, 2023. Age 18.
9. Ashley Burton – Atlanta, Georgia, April 11, 2023. Age 37.
10. Rasheeda Williams – Atlanta, Georgia, April 18, 2023. Age 35.
11. Banko Brown – San Francisco, California, April 27, 2023. Age 24.
12. Ashia Davis – Detroit, Michigan, June 2, 2023. Age 34
13. Chanell Perez Ortiz – Carolina, Puerto Rico, June 25, 2023. Age 29.
14. Jacob Williamson – Pageland, South Carolina, July 4, 2023, Age 18.
15. Camdyn Rider – Winter Haven, Florida, July 21, 2023. Age 21.
16. Kylie Monali – Riverside, California, September 7, 2022, Reported September 2023.
17. DéVonnie J’Rae Johnson – Los Angeles, California, August 7, 2023. Age 27.
18. Thomas ‘Tom-Tom’ Robinson – Calumet, Indiana, August 17, 2023. Age 28.
19. Charm Wilson – Cleveland, Ohio, September 8, 2023. Age 32.
20. Bre’Asia Bankz – Arizona, September 5, 2023. Age 27.
21. Alexa Sokova – Palm Bay, Florida, September 5, 2023. Age 30.
22. YOKO – New Orleans Louisiana, September 19, 2023. Age 30.
23. Codii Lawrence – Weirton, West Virginia, September 5, 2023. Age 25.
24. Unidentified Person – Dallas, Texas,. July 2023. Age unknown
25. Unidentified Person – Eugene, Oregon, August 10, 2023. Age unknown.
26. Luis Ángel Díaz Castro – San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 12, 2023. Age 22.
27. Thaddeus ‘Tad’ Keegan Bradley – Mendocino, California, Sept 21st, 2021. Reported April 27, 2023.
28. Sherlyn Marjorie – Albuquerque, Nex Mexico, September 17, 2023. Age 35.