Community mourns death of murdered San Jose transgender woman

(Garrett Jackson/Unsplash)

(SAN JOSE, Calif.) Loved ones and LGBTQ rights advocates gathered outside San Jose City Hall on Saturday to honor a transgender woman who was killed last week in Milpitas.

According to San Jose Inside, friends said Natalia Smüt, 24, a transgender woman and drag artist, was a creative spirit with her captivating performances and also an advocate for her community.

“The senseless violence against transgender and non-binary people in our communities must stop, and more protections and advocacy are needed,” reads a statement from Project MORE Foundation, per the report. “We encourage the community to check in with your queer family and friends to show your support and care for their well-being.”

Milpitas police arrested Elijah Cruz Segura, 22, of Union City in connection to her killing on Friday. Authorities said Segura called 911 after 2:20 a.m. Friday saying the victim was injured and that he caused the injuries.

Once police arrived at the scene, they discovered Smüt laying on the ground with significant injuries. She was taken to a local hospital, where she later died.

The Project MORE Foundation will honor Smüt and other trans lives lost to violence by changing the color of the lights in the Qmunity District in downtown San Jose to the white and pastel pink and blue of the trans flag

The lights will remain these colors for the next 16 days to draw awareness to violence against transgender people.

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