Diamond Kyree Sanders, a 23-year-old black trans woman was shot and killed in a robbery in Cincinnati on March 3rd. This marks the eleventh trans, non-binary, or gender-nonconforming person to be murdered in the U.S just three months into the year.
Sanders was attacked in the parking lot by Clifton Colony apartments. Authorities found her and took her to a nearby hospital, where she died shortly after.
The obituary shared by her friends and family remember her as a “ball of energy” as a child and up until the time of her death. The obituary continues: “Diamonds unique style, charm and personality will be greatly missed”.
“She valued her family and enjoyed spending time with them. As a child, she would say ‘I love my Whole family’” the obituary states, and continues “At the last family Thanksgiving dinner, Diamond let her family know she was thankful that they accepted her for who she was as a transgender person.”
Sergeant Eric Franz told Gay City News claimed that this was a “crime of greed” instead of a targeted attack because of Sander’s gender identity, which the Sergeant called a “lifestyle.” While this type of vocabulary is not necessarily dangerous to trans people, it shows the negligence of the seriousness of the violence against the community.
Human Rights Campaign, who along with friends and family shared Diamond Kyree Sanders obituary on social media, shed light on the tragedy and how it connects to the mounting numbers.
HRC stated previously in their research of fatal violence already in 2021 that victims get misgendered in local police statements and media reports, if reported at all, which delay awareness of the incidents.
The investigation is ongoing. The Voice of Black Cincinnati urges anybody with information to text “CINTIP” along with your message to CRIMES (274637).
Diamon Kyree Sander's obituary can be found here.