Tiffany Edwards, a 28-year-old trans woman of color, was found dead in Cincinnati last Thursday. She was last seen by her aunt the night before, saying she was meeting up with friends. The following morning her body was found by a city sanitation driver, and local police determined she was shot to death.
Initial media coverage of Edwards did not mention that she was transgender and referred to her with a different name. The Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO) and Trans Ohio have since released statements clarifying that Edwards was a transgender woman, and her name was Tiffany.
“We continue to be concerned that these homicides are often not investigated or reported on accurately, despite an alarming level of violence against transgender women of color," said Aaron Eckhardt in a statement from BRAVO. "Nationally this marks the fourth homicide of transgender women of color in the month of June alone.”
"While I didn't know Tiff or the circumstance surrounding her death, what I do know is that no human being deserves to die in such a violent way," said Arykah Carter, Board Member of Trans Ohio. "My prayers go out to her family and friends, may God comfort and keep them through this turbulent time."
The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), of which BRAVO is a part, released a report in May showing that 89% of all anti-LGBTQ homicide victims in 2013 were people of color, and 72% were transgender women.
Police said they are currently searching for a suspect named Quamar Edwards, no relation to the victim, and are asking anyone with information about the homicide to come forward. GLAAD will continue monitoring media coverage of this story and share any updates.