Ireland: Trans woman died by suicide, inquest finds

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A Dublin trans woman died by suicide, an inquest has found.

26-year-old Nikita Keane was found dead in her home on July 16 last year.

Ms Keane’s body was discovered by childhood friend George Langan, who went to visit her with his partner.

When she did not answer the door, the pair attempted to gain access to the flat, and eventually found her hanged in the bedroom.

She had been dead for several hours, with a copy of the morning’s paper found in her home.

Despite legally changing her name by deed poll and presenting as female, Ms Keane’s family had demanded that she be referred to by her birth name during the inquest.

Coroner Dr Brian Farrell ruled that her death was suicide, according to the Irish Independent, with no drugs, alcohol or medications found in her system.

Dr Farrell also ruled that the death certificate be issued in Ms Keane’s legal name, with her birth name present in brackets.

Ms Keane had been in the process of transitioning prior to her death, and had been receiving gender-related treatment at Loughlinstown Hospital.

Records also showed that she had been a victim of a serious violent assault a year prior to her death.

A study last year found that 80% of trans people in Ireland have considered suicide, with 40% having attempted it.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article and need to talk to someone, visit samaritans.org or call 08457 90 90 90