Latina Trans Woman Maria Jose Rivera Rivera, 22, Killed in Houston

Maria Jose Rivera Rivera was a 22-year-old Latina trans woman from El Salvador. Her death was first reported in late January, but unconfirmed by law enforcement investigators until recently. Maria Jose was killed in what’s described as a murder-suicide by an intimate partner on January 21, 2023 in Houston. Based on early reporting, her death […]

Arrest Made in 2021 Murder of Black Trans Woman Angel Naira in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

Angel Naira Transgender

Angel Naira was 36 when she was found dead in her Aliquippa apartment from multiple gunshot wounds in late November 2021. On Friday, Pennsylvania State Police announced that they’ve arrested and charged 46-year-old Darese Darrel Raines on homicide and weapons charges. He’s being held in the Beaver County Jail without bond. From KDKA According to […]

The One Year Anniversary of My Mother’s Death

I’ve written hundreds of memorial profiles. This one is not new news, it is the one year anniversary of my mother’s death. I’ve just cocooned myself here at home. I didn’t post about it anywhere because I don’t want to answer questions or make decisions. I don’t want good intentions to intrude on my careful […]

26-Year-Old Trans Woman Zachee Imanitwitaho Killed in Louisville

26-year-old Zachee Imanitwitaho was a Black trans woman, born in the African nation of Rwanda. She immigrated to the US in 2019 and settled in the Hazelwood neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. On Friday, February 3, Zachee was shot and killed near her workplace at JB Swift in Louisville around 3 PM CST. Police found her […]

I’m Taking a Forensic Genealogy Training

This is my 10th year of writing memorial posts for victims of lethal anti-trans violence. Over the time, I’ve tried to stay focused on the very original request from my friend Jacob, a trans activist. He asked me to write a “decent post” that contained information about the crime(s) but also acknowledged the life of […]

Latina Trans Woman Unique Banks, 21, Killed in Chicago Mass Shooting

Unique Banks transgender

A devastating tragedy in Chicago on Monday left a 21-year-old Latinx trans woman, Unique Banks, and her mother, Alexsandra Olmo, 43, both dead. They were killed in a mass shooting that targeted the two women, Olmo’s boyfriend, and two other transgender women. The three survivors are all hospitalized with critical injuries. Chicago police describe this […]

2022 Murder of Black Trans Woman Destin Howard Comes to Light

Destin Howard

Sadly, we have to add another loss to our list 2022 transgender neighbors who experienced violent deaths. Her name was Destin Howard also known as Destin Cheaves. In some places, she’s been listed as Destiny. On December 9, 2022, her body was found near Macon, Georgia near the parking lot of an empty business. Police […]

Queer Indigenous Activist Tortuguita Shot and Killed by Police in Georgia

tortuguita

Tortuguita, an Indigenous Venezuelan who was also queer and nonbinary, was killed in Atlanta on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. They died from gunshots from police performing a “clearning operation.” They were 26 years old. Officials claim Tortuguita fired their weapon first, wounding a law enforcement officer. Police claim to have returned fire when they shot […]

The Economic Realities of Burying Trans Victims of Violence

Jasmine Star Mack KC Johnson

The mother of Jasmine Star Mack has created a crowdfund to help with her final arrangements. The goal is $2000 and there have been no donations yet. That’s so devastating. It shouldn’t be difficult for people, even LGBTQ just in the DC area, to help her with that goal. The family of KC Johnson have […]

North Carolina Trans Woman KC Johnson, 27, Murdered

KC Johnson trans woman

KC Johnson, 27, was a native of Wilmington, North Carolina. She attended Abide University and was recently a manager at Domino’s Pizza in Wilmington. She’s 5′10″ and weighs about 230 pounds. Johnson has hazel eyes and dark brown, shoulder-length hair and was last seen wearing a grey shirt with gold writing, black leggings and blue […]