Rest in power.
Itali Marlowe, a black transgender woman, was murdered in Texas on 20 September.
The 29-year-old was shot multiple times in Southwest Houston and was found by authorities in a driveway. Marlowe was later transported to the nearest hospital and despite the paramedics’ best efforts, she was pronounced dead.
Police have identified 23-year-old Raymond Donald Williams as the prime suspect in the murder. He was reportedly living with Marlowe at the time of her death. If you have information on his whereabouts, contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
Marlowe is the 20th transgender casualty this year in the US, after Dana Martin, Jazzaline Ware, Ashanti Carmon, Claire Legato, Muhlaysia Booker, Michelle Washington, Paris Cameron, Chynal Lindsey, Chanel Scurlock, Zoe Spears, Brooklyn Lindsey, Denali Berries Stuckey, Jordan Cofer, Pebbles LaDime “Dime” Doe, Tracy Single, Bailey Reeves, Bee Love Slater and Ja’leyah-Jamar.
She is the fourth trans woman to be murdered in Texas in 2019 after Muhlaysia Booker, Chynal Lindsey, and Tracy Single.
Transgender women, in particular, face extraordinarily high levels of violence. Last year, 26 trans individuals were killed in the United States – a majority of which were black and Latina – and 25 of those were women.
Deputy Press Secretary Elliott Kozuch wrote in a statement: “Of the known transgender people killed this year, 13 have died from gun violence. From 2013 to present, approximately two-thirds of those killed were victims of gun violence.
“These victims are not numbers. They were people with hopes and plans, dreams for the future, loved ones and communities who will miss them every day.”
If this story has affected you, you can contact Switchboard in the UK and The Trevor Project in the US.
Related: Remembering the 26 trans individuals who were murdered in the United States last year.
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