DNA Doe Project Launches Subdivision, Trans Doe Task Force

On September 14, 2018 at 12:25 AM the Facebook page for Trans Doe Task Force went live. The task force is a division of the DNA Doe Project, a not-for-profit which uses genealogy testing to identify victims of: homicide, auto accidents, etc. After they announced that they would be working on the Julie Doe case, an unidentified transgender homicide victim from Florida, activist Lincoln Rose got in contact with Margaret Press (co-founder of DNA Doe Project).

Lincoln is an advocate and activist with Trans Cold Cases, an initiative which seeks to highlight transgender victims of homicide, that often go unnoticed. Through Rose's research, he has found that an alarming number of transgender homicide victims aren't recognized, as they are often misgendered by law enforcement; causing the exact number of trans homicides; particularly ones that are unsolved, to "slip through the cracks".

It is unknown the exact conversation exchanged between Press and Lincoln; however the Trans Doe Task Force most likely arose out of said conversation, after Rose had concerns about the exact reporting of gender and naming (posted on one of DDP's statuses), if Julie happens to be identified soon, along with other trans victims.

Trans Doe Task Force will most likely be handling the Julie Doe case as well as: Markham Ontario Doe, Dane County Doe, and Ocean Parkway Doe, although an exact list of cases have not been published at the time of this writing.

For more information, give them a like on Facebook at Trans Doe Task Force 

The Murder of Quartney Davia Dawsonn-Yochum (SOLVED)

Quartney Davia Dawsonn-Yochum (also known as Kourtney Yochum) was a transgender woman who was murdered on March 23, 2016 as she walked her two dogs through Los Angeles' Skid Row area. It is believed that she was killed by gunshot by her ex-boyfriend whose name has not been released. She was thirty-two years old.

The murder took place at the 500 block of South San Pedro Street in Los Angeles, California at 1:20 PM. A mob, surprised that the murder happened in broad daylight, crowded around the killer until security guards took him into custody until police arrived. The motive for the murder was listed as an "intimate partner dispute"; however no further details were given.

Quartney lived at Gateways Apartments, as she tried to rebuild her life. Gateways is described as a one-hundred-seven unit permanent housing project for formerly chronic homeless individuals.

The Murder of Demarkis Stansberry (SOLVED)

Demarkis Stansberry was a thirty-year old transgender man who was murdered on February 27, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Demarkis was shot in the head by twenty-four-year old Nickolas Matthews, in what he claims was an "accident" after thinking he had unloaded all of his clip on New Year's Eve. Nickolas turned himself in to local police the day of the murder, later confessing to the crime. Demarkis was shot before 11:30 AM. Police entered the home to find Stansberry dead; pronouncing him as so at the scene of the crime.

Matthews is in custody at the parish jail on charges of: negligent homicide, illegal use of a weapon (Nickolas is a felon and is not legally able to own a gun), and possession of a firearm by a felon.

The motive for the murder is unknown; however according to Nickolas' brother Frederick, he claims he saw the murder weapon tucked into Nickolas' waistband, when he went to the home to pick up DJ equipment. At first Frederick claimed to have been in another room when the murder occurred; seeing an unknown perpetrator fleeing the scene but later changed his story to say his brother murdered Demarkis.

Despite an unknown motive, the murder was no accident. According to news outlets, Matthews had to have been standing next to Stansberry when he was shot, as the bullet entered his skull at point-blank range.

The Murder of Maya Young (SOLVED)

Maya Young was a twenty-five-year old transgender woman who was fatally stabbed on February 20, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by nineteen-year old Jose Pena and twenty-four-year old Tiffany Floyd.

Maya was found on February 20 by police on the 4800 block of Penn Street with multiple stab wounds to her neck and chest, still breathing, she was taken to Aria Frankford Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

It is unclear how Tiffany was caught; however Jose was ratted out by Tiffany, with police being able to verify that he was involved. The motive for the murder also remains unclear. Both are facing murder and conspiracy charges.

Transgender Woman Found Dead In Motel Bathtub-Was She Murdered?

Victoria Banks Cano was a transgender nurse originally from Pleasanton, Texas. On February 19, 2016 Victoria was found dead by police in a motel room bathtub at the El Mio on the 3500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. She was fully clothed with a little bit of water in the tub, but no obvious signs of trauma. Other patrons sharing the room with Cano were questioned; however the outcome of that questioning is unknown at the time of this writing. With no signs of trauma and no known statements from any of the other patrons, Trans True Crime asks "Was Victoria murdered? Or did she just die naturally in an unusual place?"

According to friends, Victoria was a certified nurse's assistant at a retirement home in Pleasanton. Despite working in Pleasanton, Cano had relocated to San Antonio, Texas in 2012.

Victoria is buried at San Jose Burial Park.

Is Kayden Clarke's Murder Actually Solved?

Today Trans True Crime will profile the case of transgender man, Kayden Clarke. Kayden is Trans True Crime's first trans male entry!

Kayden Clarke was a transgender man who became well-known on the internet when a video of him showing how his Rottweiler, Samson, helped him to deal with a breakdown. Clarke suffered from Asperger's Syndrome, a condition in which causes the person to ineffectively communicate and socialize with others.

After friend, Heather Allen called 911 asking police to check on Kayden, who had been sending emails to her complaining of suicidal thoughts, police responded saying they were already on their way. When police responded to Clarke's residence, without body cameras, they allege that Clarke ran at them wielding a knife. The cops felt alarmed, so they retaliated with gunfire; killing Kayden. He was just twenty-four-years old.

Clarke's mother, Stacia disputes police's claims; arguing that Kayden was not posing a threat when police came to his home; going on to say that the police barged into his home without permission. Soon thereafter they killed him for no apparent reason.

Samson, who was adopted by Kayden from friend, Heather Allen's HALO Animal Rescue shelter was taken in by his family.

With all of the hearsay from both sides, Trans True Crime asks the question, "Is Kayden Clarke's murder really solved?" 

The Murder of Jasmine Sierra (UNSOLVED)

Jasmine Sierra was a fifty-two-year old transgender woman who was murdered on January 22, 2016 in Bakersfield, California. She was found dead in her apartment on the 1000 block of Monterey Street by police who say her body showed obvious signs of trauma and that foul play is suspected. Police revealed that neighbors of Jasmine's heard gunshots and fighting from her residence; however police refuse to go into further detail, with the circumstances surrounding Sierra's death unknown.

A vigil was held on March 12, 2016 to honor Jasmine, as it took LGBT groups one month to realize Jasmine was murdered, because she was dead named by police and media outlets.