The Murder of Keke Collier (UNSOLVED)

Keke Collier was a twenty-four-year old transgender woman who was killed on February 21, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois's Englewood neighborhood. Keke also went by the name Tiara Richmond. Collier was found in the street and taken to Advocate Christ Hospital, where she later died.

According to witnesses who spoke with activist Shasha Lauren, they saw Keke get into a car with a man who later shot her. Police commented on these reports; saying that there is currently no known reason for the murder and that they are investigating.

The Murder of JoJo Striker (UNSOLVED)

JoJo Striker was a twenty-three-year old transgender woman who was killed on February 8, 2017 in Toldeo, Ohio from a single gunshot wound to the torso. She was found in an empty garage on Austin Street in North Toledo.

The victim's mother, Shanda Striker believes the murder was not random and that it was a hate crime. Police believe that JoJo's criminal past may have been an aspect of her murder.

The Murder of Mesha Caldwell (UNSOLVED)

Mesha Caldwell was a forty-one-year old transgender hairstylist and makeup artist who was killed on January 4, 2017 in Canton, Mississippi.

Mesha was shot multiple times, although where and with what caliber of weapon is unknown. Her body was found shortly after death on Heindl Road near Old Yazoo City Road in Madison County.

Caldwell was described as a "kind and popular person".

The Thirty Year Anniversary of Venus Xtravaganza's Murder

Thirty years ago today, December 21, 1988 a petite transsexual named Venus Xtravaganza was snubbed from the world after being killed by a client while working as an escort. Venus, later made famous by the documentary, Paris is Burning was not known to the world then but would later become an icon for her reads "You wanna talk about reading?" and "You're just an overgrown orangutan" featured in the aforementioned film. Happier times for a hopeful pre-operative transsexual with dreams of becoming a professional model, Venus was immortalized on screen as a murder victim in a case that's still unsolved.

After escaping a violent john while street hustling, Venus went to work for a friend's escort service described by a couple of other friends as "an abandoned building with a phone line put in it" that was ran by an "old fat tranny". The madam most likely spoke to the killer hours before Venus' murder; setting up a call for early December 21st at a seedy hourly hotel (which is still open to this day). Venus had plans to meet a family friend for brunch that same day, but never showed up. She was most likely dead at this point; rumors swirling that she either was caught stealing money from a client or wanted more drugs; views that differ from the typical liberal left that believes she was killed over being transgender, despite openly advertising as pre-operative.

Xtravaganza had a rough life; getting into drugs around the age of thirteen starting off with weed and acid before getting deeper into cocaine after the unrelated murder of her boyfriend, Rico, just eight months before she was killed. Rico (last name unknown at the time of this writing) was a bisexual "gay for pay" adult film actor with a penchant for cocaine; forcing Venus to escort frequently to afford more cocaine. After a drug deal gone wrong on April 22 in Times Square, Rico was shot in the chest by an "older African-American female drug dealer" "tall and wearing a long brown coat". The two had a disagreement that escalated over Rico's coke being cut with baking soda. Venus hid behind a car after Rico warned her the talk could get ugly. She raced out to his side after he was shot; scaring off the drug dealer. Venus laid on Rico's chest as he bled to death in the streets. Times Square was not then how we know now. It was cold and dark, with few people out unless they were engaging in similar behaviors.

Rico's death left Venus feeling helpless, as he had saved her from a potential fight in Times Square years earlier. Cocaine was what kept them together in the end, and what tore them apart; also possibly playing a factor in Venus' untimely death. She was strangled at the hotel before being stuffed under the bed. She was found four days later by a housekeeper. The murder remains unsolved.  

The Murder of India Monroe (UNSOLVED)

India Monroe was a twenty-nine-year old transgender woman who was killed on December 21, 2016 in Newport News, Virginia by multiple gunshot wounds, when someone may have come into her and her partner's home. Her partner, thirty-seven-year old, Mark Gray, was also shot but it is unknown if he survived. There was no sign of forced entry, so police are ruling the incident domestic and not a hate crime.

Unfortunately according to friend, Magen Shannel, on January 3, 2017 at India's funeral she was mistreated when she, an obvious transgender woman, was dressed as male with her hair cut and wearing a suit, along with gloves on her hands (most likely to cover a manicure gotten before death). High school acquaintance, Brittany Marquis said of the mistreatment of India that "I know for a fact Monroe would not want to be buried that way" going on to say "She'd want to have her nails done, hair done, looking amazing, because that's what she liked."

Friend, William Bailey said of Monroe that he believes she identified as female since at least 2009 but wasn't sure when she first began to transition from male to female. Marquis says that she isn't sure that the petite 5'2" tall India was out to all of her family members.

The Murder of Noony Norwood (UNSOLVED)

Noony Norwood was a thirty-year old transgender woman who was killed on November 5, 2016 in Richmond, Virginia. She was killed by gunshot five days after her thirtieth birthday; dying the day after being shot.

Noony was found dead at the 2700 block of Hull Street in Richmond, Virginia's South side. A man seen near the area is of interest to police, with an image of the man being released. Although grainy, investigators hope to get an enhanced version of the photo to distribute, in the hopes of bringing him in for questioning. The man is described as: Black, thirty to forty years old, 6'2" to 6'4", and weighing approximately 290 pounds.

Zakia McKensey, Director of Nationz Foundation, was a close friend of Norwood's; calling her "daughter", common in the drag community when there is a "mother-daughter style" mentorship. This was so because according to Zakia, Noony had just begun her transition from male to female through wearing women's clothing full-time; entertaining at home but McKensey is unsure if Noony wanted to begin a career as an entertainer outside of her home. The two met fourteen years prior to Norwood's murder, when Norwood was looking for drag advice, not in regards to performing, more so just in general. 

The Murder of Brandi Bledsoe (SOLVED)

Brandi Bledsoe was a thirty-two-year old transgender woman originally from Nebraska who was killed on October 8 or 12, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Brandi was found dead in a driveway behind a home on Drexel Avenue near East 108th Street in Cleveland. Her body, clad only in underwear with plastic bags covering her head and hands, was discovered by two brothers; one five years of age and the other being twelve years of age, as the rode their bikes in the neighborhood. The official cause of death was listed as a gunshot wound to the chest; it is still unclear as to why her face and hands were covered.

Two Bedford Heights people were charged with Bledsoe's murder; surrendering to police although a motive for the homicide is still not known. The two individuals are a twenty-nine-year old transgender woman, Michelle Cole and thirty-year old genetic female, Heidi Krudy.

Brandi worked a day job at Home Depot but aspired to be an artist, her specialty being animation.