Transwoman Found Dead In Her Fontana, CA Apartment

[Carolyn Marie]

Another tragedy. May she rest in peace. Fontana is a city in San Bernardino County, about 40 miles from Los Angeles.

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/08/21/suspect-sought-in-murder-of-fontana-man-dressed-as-a-woman/

Carolyn Marie

[Guest LizMarie]

Such a tragedy.

[Guest EvaO]

Another young trans woman of color dead. When does it stop?

One thing that bothered me: "Neighbors say they only saw Newburn as a woman." -- Maybe that's because she WAS a woman? Even in death, our identities are not respected or fully-accepted.

[Guest Carla_Davis]

Another tragedy.

Any loss of life is a tragedy, but I am happy that the Police did not classify it as a "Bias Crime".

I also feel that it is a compliment to Ms. Newburn that she led the life of a cis-woman and no one knew any thing different.

Hugs,

Carla

[Guest sophia.gentry58]

It is indeed a tragedy and I have to wonder whether we as transgender women disproportionately are, as a group, among those who are being murdered in America. Having the most powerful army in the world shouldn't be the cornerstone of what makes a country great, but how it ensures that every citizen is protected to the extent that each can fulfill for themselves "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Until America does a better job in the aforementioned, I think it would be hypocritical of me to call my beloveth country "the greatest country on earth".

I'm not one given to endorsing the idea of hate crimes, but I do think it ironic that while "Police do not believe Newburn’s death was a hate crime ..." at the same time they state that "a motive was unclear." If a motive is unclear could someone tell me how the police know that it was not a hate crime? Go figure!

Also, I am becoming jaded by the incessant statements that are usually made regarding the tragic death of another human being within someone's community; "You never would have thought anything like this could happen here" or words to that effect. Is there a place left in America where some heinous crime can't be committed. I believe if we as neighbors, as a society, would spend less time being detached from one another we might stave off some of these senseless acts by being in tune with what is going on with one another. However, today we or more likely not get involved with our neighbors until something like what happened to Dominique occurs, which gives us the perfect opportunity to say "I can't believe something like this occurred in our neighborhood" or words to that effect. When will we wake up!

Sophia

[Guest LizMarie]

Statistics for hate crimes against transgender persons began to be collected just this year. The first actual report of such statistics will be available sometime next year. All prior attempts to quantify murders of transgender persons have been extrapolations based on very limited data sets.

And I agree, Sophia. How can you say it's not a hate crime when you admit you don't know why it was done (the motive)?

I saw in another article they found her car in a nearby park, abandoned. Nothing about the suspect yet though, last I heard.

[VickySGV]

Fontana was one of my "district office service areas" for many years. It has gone from blue collar "steel puddlers" of the 40's to the 90's, and has had its gang infestation periods. I was VERY careful doing my field contacts when I was in the area, and saw potential trouble for me as a male on more than one occasion. The area has been changing in recent years, and the housing boom (now bust) resulted in isolated enclaves of new homes in the multi 100K range, many of them gated and security patrolled. I cannot say exactly what the neighborhood this took place in was like, but people saying they did not believe it could take place near them, are either very new. or are conditioned by the old gang days to keep silent and not rat on things they darn well do know.

[Guest LizMarie]

A young man named Dantiier Powell is now the subject of a manhunt related to this case. Apparently the Fontana police and the California police are searching for him and fear he may be trying to leave the state.

[Carolyn Marie]

Here is the latest update:

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-slain-transgender-woman-fontana-car-found-20130821,0,5277076.story

Carolyn Marie

[Guest LizMarie]

Here's additional information, Carolyn: http://ktla.com/2013/08/23/police-search-for-suspected-murderer-who-fled-in-victims-car/