US: Second Baltimore trans woman found murdered since June
Police are investigating the second murder of a trans woman in Baltimore, Maryland this summer, after a body was found in an alleyway during the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The victim has been identified as Mia Henderson, 26. Her body was found shortly after 6 am on Wednesday on the 3400 block of Baltimore’s Piedmont Avenue, although she is not believed to be a resident of the area.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts told a press conference: “Here in our city, from our transgender community, what we are here to say is that we are listening, that we’re paying attention. We’re responding. We take this very seriously.
“Our detectives are doing all that they can. I am pushing them hard and I have high expectations to resolve these cases. We want to be strong partners within our transgender community.”
Keith Thirion, director of advocacy and programs for Equality Maryland, said: “It’s clear the community is concerned about the continued violence against transgender women, and we need to see action.”
Henderson was reportedly the sibling of NBA player Reggie Bullock. Bullock, of the Los Angeles Clippers, called Henderson his “brother”, referring to her by her birth name, tweeted a tribute on Wednesday night:
All I can say is my brother showed me how to live your “OWN LIFE” love you soo much man. Gone but not forgotten #RIPKEVIN
— Reggie Bullock (@ReggieBullock35) July 16, 2014
Baltimore police spokesman Lieutenant Eric Kowalczyk said that they are investigating prostitution as a circumstance in the crime, after a witness in the area claimed that a man offering women money for a “date” had entered the alleyway with Henderson shortly before her body was found. Henderson had been arrested twice for alleged prostitution.
Police are also looking into possible links with the death of Kandy Hall, another trans woman found murdered in Baltimore last month. The bodies of both Henderson and Hall were described as having experienced “severe trauma”.
“We’re looking at everything involved in the cases,” said Baltimore police Maj. Dennis Smith. “Every clue to see if they’re connected or not connected.”
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call city police at 410-396-2100.
