US: California man arrested over ‘suspicious’ death of trans activist
A 38-year-old Californian man has been arrested for the death of a trans activist whose body was found behind a Dairy Queen in Anaheim.
On Tuesday, Randy Lee Parkerson was detained on suspicion of her murder while driving in the city of Anaheim.
He was arrested nearby the parking lot of the Dairy Queen where the victim’s body was found.
Lieutenant Bob Dunn, a spokesman for the Anaheim Police Department, told the LA Times that police are not yet treating the incident as a hate crime.
“The motive is still unclear,” he said. “There is nothing to suggest that Zoraida was specifically targeted.”
Jorge Gutierrez, a friend of the victim, said: “For many the lives of transgender people don’t matter and they’re viewed as disposable.
“We know that her identity as a trans woman was a huge factor, whether the police want to acknowledge it or not.”
In June, a fund towards covering Reyes’ burial costs raised over $11,000 (£6500).
