Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

These are posts I regret having to share. The number of trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming deaths due to violence have been increasing so rapidly that I struggle to keep up with memorial posts. That is my challenge to work out.

But for you … I want to make sure you are aware.

The brutal death of Nathaniel Potts weighs particularly heavy on my heart. I’ve already crafted nine memorials in a month’s time. When I look at the work of my colleagues outside of the US and those who memorialize people who died by suicide, overwhelmed is far from adequate to describe my heart.

These are the folx whose deaths I have no yet memorialized. Some are still being researched.

1. Nathaniel Potts, May 20, 2026 in Saline County, Illinois. Age 16. Nathaniel was a gender nonconforming young person.
2. Juniper Blessing, May 10, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. Age 19. Juniper was a trans woman.
3. Unidentified Person, May 18, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. May be gender nonconforming, perhaps a trans woman.
4. Leia Trysiss Ali – May 24, 2026 in Las Vegas. Nevada. Age 35. Leia was Fa’afafine of Samoan and Pasifika descent.
5. Unidentified Person – Found May 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas. Age unknown. Reported as a trans woman by police.
6. Unidentified Person – Reported May 24 on Twiter. No details.

I am also memorialing Mark Rayburn-Velco a cisgender gay man and drag artist in Columbus, Ohio. Mark was stabbed to death by his teenaged son. Mark was 58.

Monitoring

• Murry Foust, Found May 24, 2026 in Northern Kentucky. Age 22.

Missing

• Ellie Schmidt, 22, has been missing since May 9th, 2026 from Renton, Washington.
• Ria Hodge, age unknown, has not been in touch with family since February 2026. Reportedly seen in Los Angeles California & Greenville Texas

Of course, please message me with information or suggestions.

Deaths reported in 2026

These individuals are part of the trans community including transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and gender creative folx. Please do not share this content without attribution. Thank you

1. Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-Mccray – Petersburg, Virginia. March 13, 2026. Age 42.
2. Davonta Curtis – Chicago, Illinois. April 5, 2026. Age 32.
3. Dannielle Spillman – San Francisco, California. April 16, 2026. Age 74.
4. Aleanna Royal Belcher – Binghamton, New York. April 17, 2026. Age 31.
5. Lucas Redbeard Knapp – Candy Kitchen, Cibola County, New Mexico, April 18, 2026. Age 39.
6. Hailey Singleton – Dunnellton, Florida, May 5, 2026. Age 29.
7. Lanessa Rodriguez – Ft Pierce, Florida, April 28, 2026. Age 35.
8. Jade Roberts – Houston, Texas, January 2, 2026. Age 25.
9. Paris Harris – Dallas, Texas, April 17, 2026. Age 21.
10. Eryka Caldwell – New York, New York, May 17, 2026. Age 41.

Other Deaths

We are following these cases, but cannot confirm the details right now.

1. Daniella Analee Escobedo – Las Vegas, Nevada (unconfirmed), April 12, 2026. Age 34.