Remembering Our Dead: May 2017
Every year on or around 20th November people worldwide gather for the Transgender day of Remembrance to to remember the trans people we have lost to murder and violence in the past year, as reported by the Trans Murder Monitoring Project and published by Transgender Europe (TGEU).
The following are details of trans people known to have been killed worldwide during May 2017 (see TDoR 2017: Say their names. Learn their stories. Remember them for an index covering the whole year).
[TRIGGER WARNING: VIOLENCE. MURDER]
<< April 2017
Mafe Rojas Camilo Mendez
3 May 2017
Tolima (Colombia)
Tortured and shot
Mafe was beaten with blunt objects and tortured until she was almost dying, before eventually being shot twice. Her body was found surrounded by bloodied rocks and pieces of wood.
Gina Huerta Vallejo (“Chantal”)
Age 33
4 May 2017
Apatzingán, Michoacán (Mexico)
Stabbed
Gina was stabbed by a man after he had argued with her.
https://ulisex.com/mujer-trans-y-victima-adios-a-gina-huerta-vallejo-2017/
http://www.nsintesis.com/principal/asesinan-a-travesti-en-apatzingan/
Kenneth Bostick
Age 59
4 May 2017
New York (USA)
Beaten
Kenneth lived in a homeless shelter and was beaten on the head with a metal pipe. He spent more than a week in Bellevue Hospital before he died on 4th May.
Bostick also used to talk about finding permanent housing, and he had plans for that, too. “He wanted a big apartment,” the social worker said, and when he got it someday, his plan was to have a dinner party. He’d invite a bunch of friends and serve them a big catered spread. “But then he’d make people believe that he cooked the food himself. He laughed when he said that. He knew it was a little rascally.”
http://www.newnownext.com/brenda-bostick-trans-woman-murder/05/2017/
Mendez Cuevas
Age 21
5 May 2017
Durango (Mexico)
Cause of death unknown
Mendez was found on 5th May in a clandestine grave near a house. Her date of death is unknown, but she had been missing since 9th September.
TvT partner organisation Centro de Apoyo a las Identidades Trans, 05.05.2017
Name Unknown
Age 32
5 May 2017
Flat Sri Plateau, Bandar Sri Permaisuri, Cheras (Malaysia)
Cause of death unknown
The victim’s body was found in the bedroom lying face down with both wrists bound with cable from a hair dryers and mobile phone charger. Her murder was reported as that of a male in the press, but her community indicates that she was a trans woman.
http://sarawakvoice.com/2017/05/09/mayat-lelaki-dari-sarawak-ditemui-di-flat-kuala-lumpur/
Thadeu Nascimento
Age 24
5 May 2017
Grande do Retiro (Brazil)
Beaten and shot
Thadeu was a salesman. He was living in Salvador when he was murdered.
His body was found in the São Cristóvão neighbourhood on 6th May after going missing two day before. According to family members his house had been burgled.
His body displayed signs of beating and he had been shot in the head.
https://goqueer.blogspot.com/2017/07/brazil-55-year-old-gay-man-stabbed-35.html
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/05/thadeu-nascimento-vendedor-24-anos-tiros-ssp-ba-salvador/ [DEAD LINK]
C. A. Lima da Silva
Age 24
6 May 2017
Mamanguape, Paraíba (Brazil)
Shot
C. was drinking with friends at a bar when she was approached by an anonymous man who told everybody to move away from her and shot her.
https://goqueer.blogspot.com/2017/07/brazil-transgender-woman-executed-at.html
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/06/c-a-lima-da-silva-24-anos-tiros-7a-dp-pb-mamanguape/ [DEAD LINK]
http://www.santacruzrnonline.com/2017/05/homossexual-e-assassinado-tiros-dentro.html
R. C. Silva Pereira
Age 22
7 May 2017
Barretos (Brazil)
Run over
R. was crossing the Brigadeiro Faria Lima highway when a truck and a car both hit her. The driver of the car ran away.
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/07/r-c-silva-pereira-22-anos-atropelada-sp-barretos/ [DEAD LINK]
Jennifer C. Holanda Pinheiro
Age 29
8 May 2017
Itaitinga (Brazil)
Shot
Jennifer was a hairdresser. On 8th May she was visiting an employment centre to leave a copy of her resume.
According to witnesses, while she was there two men entered the building wearing motorcycle helmets. They went to the reception room where she was filling out a form and shot her several times in the head. The killer and his accomplice escaped on a motorbike.
https://goqueer.blogspot.com/2017/07/brazil-transgender-woman-murdered-at.html
http://cearanews7.com/travesti-e-assassinado-com-tiros-queima-roupa-na-sede-sine-idt-de-itaitinga/
Fernanda Gomes
Age 24
10 May 2017
Ponta Grossa, Paraná (Brazil)
Shot
Fernanda was shot in the chest at dawn on Wednesday 10th May in the Dallabona neighborhood of Ponta Grossa, in the region of Campos Gerais. Her body was found in the afternoon next to a railway line.
A friend of the victim told police that Fernanda had been living on the street for about five months.
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/10/fernanda-23-anos-tiros-13a-sdp-pr-ponta-grossa/index.html [DEAD LINK]
http://www.rspolicia.com.br/2017/05/travesti-e-morto-tiros-ao-lado-da-linha.html
Ivanna Landuchy
12 May 2017
Tamaulipas (Mexico)
Shot
Ivanna was last seen publicly on 8th May. Her body was found shot 4 days later.
TvT partner organisation Centro de Apoyo a las Identidades Trans, 12.05.2017
Chaiane
Age 27
13 May 2017
Cachoeira do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)
Stabbed
Chaiane was found dead in front of the house of one of her alleged killers on Saturday 13th May in the city of Cachoeira do Sul. She had been stabbed with a machete in the mouth, neck and wrist. Three teenagers have been arrested.
https://goqueer.blogspot.com/2017/07/brazil-transgender-woman-stabbed-to.html
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/13/chaiane-27-anos-facadas-rs-cachoeira-do-sul/ [DEAD LINK]
http://novotempo.com/ntsul/travesti-morta-a-facadas-em-cachoeira-do-sul/
Ketlin de Miranda
Age 31
13 May 2017
Juazeiro do Norte (Brazil)
Stabbed
Ketlin was on the street near the city’s Bus Terminal when she was approached by a man who stabbed her several times. She died at the scene.
Police learned from relatives that Ketlin had reported several cases of prejudice.
https://goqueer.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/brazil-transgender-woman-killed-in_27.html
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/13/ketlin-31-anos-facadas-5o-dp-ce-juazeiro-do-norte/ [DEAD LINK]
http://www.portaloros.com.br/2017/05/travesti-e-morta-facadas-em-juazeiro-do.html
http://princesanews.com.br/2017/05/13/homossexual-foi-morto-facadas-em-juazeiro-norte/ [DEAD LINK]
Name Unknown
13 May 2017
Fortaleza (Brazil)
Stabbed
The victim’s body was found early in the morning of 13th May near a railway line. She had been stabbed in the back of the neck.
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/13/sem-identificacao-facadas-dhhp-ce-fortaleza/ [DEAD LINK]
http://cearanews7.com/mais-um-travesti-e-assassinado-misteriosamente-nas-ruas-de-fortaleza/
Name Unknown
Age 25
15 May 2017
Morro Agudo (Brazil)
Beaten
The victim was found dead with head injuries on a plot in the Jardim Europa neighbourhood.
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/15/nao-identificada-25-anos-golpes-na-cabeca-sp-morro-agudo/ [DEAD LINK]
Sherrell Faulkner
Age 46
16 May 2017
Charlotte, North Carolina (USA)
Beaten
Sherrell died at Carolinas Medical Center as a result of an attack on 30th November 2016 when she was beaten and left beside a trash bin.
http://www.2blackgrits.com/blog-1/2017/6/2/in-memory-of-sherrell-faulkner
When we only see Sherrell Faulkner as one name in a much-too-long list of transgender victims, we dehumanize her in a means that is ideologically similar to her aggressor(s). For this reason, we won’t to re-iterate the specifics of her death, since too many pieces focus only on them (we have linked some of these throughout.) Instead, we want to take a moment to talk about the Southern context of her death, and most importantly, the specifics of her life, which deserves its own context and recognition. Her death is both part of a national epidemic and a Charlotte-specific tragedy; it is simultaneously a community-wide trial and an individual tribulation for her loved ones.
https://mic.com/articles/177692/sherrell-faulkner-trans-woman-dies-after-november-assault
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/05/21/trans-woman-dies-from-injuries-after-attack-in-november/
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article152246077.html
Imer Eliu Alvarado
Age 34
17 May 2017
Fresno, Ohio (USA)
Shot
Imer was shot and killed in an alley while dressed in female clothing. Some friends identified Imer as gay, and others as trans.
http://www.towleroad.com/2017/05/imer-eliu-alvarado/
http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/crime/article151084507.html
Jennifer López (“Campanita”)
Age 20
20 May 2017
Ometepec, Guerrero (Mexico)
Stabbed
Jennifer was murdered during the night of the 20th of May on her own home in Ometepec, Guerrero state, Mexico. She was stabbed in the neck with a sharp object and would have died almost immediately.
Jennifer was known among her friends as Campanita and was a local transgender activist who was actively involved on the defence of the human rights of LGBTTTI people.
“Campanita was a peaceful soul who worked as a hair stylist and beauty therapist. We urge the authorities to clarify and solve this case. The death of Jennifer cannot be given impunity; stop homophobic and transphobic killings” declared Victoria Galarza, head of Centro de Capacitación.
http://telefonorojo.mx/asesinan-a-activista-gay-en-ometepec-guerrero/
Name Unknown
20 May 2017
Ilopango (El Salvador)
Shot/stabbed
Two people entered her room and shot (or stabbed?) her.
TvT partner organisation Centro de Apoyo a las Identidades Trans & Hijos de la Patria 20.05.2017
Pâmela
21 May 2017
Belo Horizonte (Brazil)
Stabbed
Pâmela was stabbed in the abdomen at the Hotel Rubi in downtown Belo Horizonte, by someone she had spent the night with. In the morning the two had argued, and after leaving the other person had returned later and stabbed her.
TvT partner organization Rede Trans Brazil & Whats up groups 21/05/2017
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/21/pamela-facadas-mg-belo-horizonte/ [DEAD LINK]
Alejandra Diaz
Age 34
25 May 2017
Baruta (Venezuela)
Shot
Alejandra was shot by a member of the military after refusing to participate in extortion.
TvT partner organisation Centro de Apoyo a las Identidades Trans & 2001, 31.05.2017
Grace Kelly
25 May 2017
Lauro de Freitas (Brazil)
Suffocated
Grace was found in her apartment by a neighbour. Doctors said she had been suffocated.
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/25/grace-kelly-tec-de-enfermagem-asfixia-27-dt-ba-salvador/ [DEAD LINK]
http://www.itingatv.com.br/index.php/2017/05/26/morte-de-homossexual-em-itinga-pode-ter-sido-homicidio/ [DEAD LINK]
https://www.burburinhonews.com/homossexual-e-encontrado-morto-em-itinga/
Lalá da Rosa
Age 22
25 May 2017
Feira de Santana (Brazil)
Shot
Lalá was shot in the head and chest on Canal Avenue in the New Street neighbourhood of Feira de Santana by two men on a motorcycle.
https://goqueer.blogspot.com/2017/07/brazil-transgender-woman-is-killed-on.html
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/25/lala-22-anos-tiros-ba-feira-de-santana/ [DEAD LINK]
http://www.tribunafeirense.com.br/noticias/24626/travesti-e-assassinada-na-avenida-de-canal
http://www.jequieurgente.com/travesti-e-morto-cruelmente-em-via-publica-de-feira-de-santana/
Caricia
Age 32
26 May 2017
Guerrero (Mexico)
Shot
Caricia was shot by two people in a bar.
TvT partner organisation Centro de Apoyo a las Identidades Trans, 27.05.2017
Joyce Jane Padilha
26 May 2017
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Dismembered
Joyce was one of the first trans women to be part of the Afroreggae Cultural Group’s Rainbow Beyond Project. She had been missing for one day before her mutilated body was found in one of the most violent slums in Rio.
https://goqueer.blogspot.com/2017/07/brazil-transgender-found-dead-with.html
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/26/joyce-jane-padilha-mutilamento-rj-rio-de-janeiro/ [DEAD LINK]
https://www.facebook.com/ivanjunior.peron/posts/1422139981187391
Name Unknown
Age 38
28 May 2017
Guerrero (Mexico)
Stoned
The victim was killed by stoning to her head.
TvT partner organisation Centro de Apoyo a las Identidades Trans
Sheila Medeiros
Age 37
29 May 2017
Tres Pontas (Brazil)
Cause of death unknown
Sheila went missing on the night of Saturday 27th May. Her body was found two days later on waste ground near her home. When found she was half naked and there was a condom lying nearby.
During her last conversation, Sheila told a friend that there was someone who wanted to have sex with her, but she did not want to do it. Her friend believed that this person was in the vicinity of where the body was found.
Sadly and crying a lot, she commented that Sheila always went to Nossa Senhora D’Ajuda Church with her to pray, and that she was a very dear person for all who only did good.
https://goqueer.blogspot.com/2017/07/brazil-transgender-woman-is-found-dead.html
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/29/sheila-medeiros-37-anos-a-esclarecer-mg-tres-pontas/ [DEAD LINK]
http://www.equipepositiva.com/corpo-de-teddegrey-e-encontrado-em-terreno-baldio/
Laryrssa Moura
Age 22
30 May 2017
Governador Valadares (Brazil)
Shot
Laryrssa was shot in the back on the verge of the BR 116 highway in the Turmalina neighbourhood of Governador Valadares. She died at the scene.
Her Facebook profile is https://www.facebook.com/jheferson.moureira
https://homofobiamata.wordpress.com/2017/05/30/j-h-pereira-de-moura-22-anos-tiros-mg-governador-valadares/ [DEAD LINK]
http://aconteceunovale.com.br/portal/?p=116277
https://www.facebook.com/policia24hminas/posts/1932091720360978 [DEAD LINK]
Andrea Chaguendo Suárez
Age 51
31 May 2017
Cali (Colombia)
Stabbed
Andrea was stabbed several times. The culprits and motive are unknown.
TvT partner organisation Centro de Apoyo a las Identidades Trans & El Tiempo 03.06.2017
Leo Etherington
Age 15
31 May 2017
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire (United Kingdom)
Suicide
Leo died by suicide. His school had refused to use his new name even though he had transitioned the year before.
Leo Etherington had come out at home and at school — but teachers at Wycombe high school, an all-girls grammar school, told the 15-year-old that he could not change his name on the register for another year.
Giving evidence at an inquest into his son’s death, Martin Etherington said: “The school told him he had to be 16 to change his name. He said he was angry with the school.
“I asked him if I should speak to them and he said no. I said we could wait until he was 16 and then change his name.”
The student had also been told by the family GP that he would not be eligible for gender reassignment surgery on the NHS. In his evidence his father said: “I told Leo I would fund any surgery when the time came.”
The family thought Leo was studying for forthcoming GCSE exams in his room on the afternoon of his death on 31 May. But his father found his body in his room after he missed calls to come down to dinner.
Mr Etherington added: “The school told him he had to be 16 to change his name. He said.
The tragedy is that both the school and his GP were incorrect — there was no reason the school could not have respected his identity, and the NHS can fund testosterone therapy for trans men from age 16 onwards, and surgery from 18.
June 2017 >>
Rest in peace. We will not forget.
TDoR 2017: Say their names. Learn their stories. Remember them
With thanks to the many volunteers reporting acts of violence against trans people worldwide, and in particular to Transgender Europe.
