Trans woman dies in New York after being found with head injuries
A transgender woman from New York City has died after she was found with serious head trauma.
The unidentified woman was found in Chelsea on April the 25th at approximately 10.30pm.
When she was found she was unconscious and unresponsive with a number of injuries to her head.
The woman, who is anonymous but believed to have been 59-years-old was taken to the hospital but died yesterday afternoon from the injuries.
The New York Police Department have yet to make any arrests as a investigation is still being established, and it is not clear if the head trauma was from an attack.
Corey Johnson, a gay council member in Chelsea, said there was a “zero tolerance” policy to the violence that may have occurred.
Johnson said: “I am saddened and angered to learn that a transgender woman who was found by paramedics with head injuries in Chelsea has passed away.
“The NYPD assures me that a swift and thorough investigation is taking place to determine the cause of death. If criminality is involved, all resources must be deployed to apprehend the person or persons responsible.
“There must be zero tolerance for acts of violence, particularly against transgender individuals, who are disproportionately targeted by hate crimes and discrimination.”
Shelby Chestnut, director of community organising and public advocacy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project called the death “tragic”.
Chestnut said: “In these tragic moments we must remember it’s on all of New York to ensure we end violence against LGBTQ people, especially transgender women of colour.
“Our city must be a welcoming place for everyone and we must look out for each other,” they added.
Violence against transgender people is at an all time high, with 2016 estimated to be one the worst year on record for violence against the trans community.
In Brazil, a woman was forced to plead for her life as she was tortured and eventually killed.
Numerous transgender people have lost their lives to unprecedented violence this year, notably four black trans woman were all murdered within the space of a week.
People with information about the woman’s injuries can contact the NYPPD at 800-577-8477 or in Spanish at 888-577-4782.
