Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Juniper Blessing was killed on Friday, May 8, 2026 in Seattle. She was in her off-campus apartment. According to KOMO

According to the Seattle Police Department (SPD), officers were dispatched to a stabbing at the Nordheim Court Apartments in the 5000 block of 25th Ave NE around 10:10 p.m. Sunday. They found a 19-year-old woman dead in a laundry room in building 7. Officers and firefighters tried to revive her, but she was pronounced dead.

On Monday, May 18, police charted Christopher Leahy with first-degree murder. He was identified by security footage and information provided by his brother. Officials have since determined Leahy had been present on the campus in numerous previous incidents.

Honoring Juniper

Juniper was born in Princeton, N.J. Her the family moved to Santa Fe in 2018. Her family spoke with the Seattle Times.

Her family shared that she had a five octave range and sang often as a child. She attended the New Mexico School for the Arts, a public charter. She loved Seattle. At UW, Juniper was majoring in atmospheric science with minors in music and philosophy.

Her brother Luke said he had spoken with her the day before her death. She shared with him that it was the first time she had worn a dress in public.

The outpouring of love for Juniper is a true testament to the joy and beauty she brought to the world.

Juniper’s family clearly and ardently loved her. I’m struck by the similarity to the family of Persia Amarra Conway. These are the parents who need to be lifted up, to educate other families by example, and to perhaps find comfort together. From their interview:

Her father said “Juniper was joy,” Craig said. “As a child, Juniper didn’t walk – Juniper skipped everywhere.”

When Juniper was a teen, her mom showed her how to paint her nails.

“When she was transitioning, I said, ‘Juniper, wherever you go, I will go with you,’ ” Monica said.

Context

Juniper is the thirteenth trans person whose violent death has been reported in the US during 2026. I have no doubt there have been other violent deaths, they are just hidden for reasons I laid out earlier.

She is the fifth white trans person on this list. At age 19, she is the second youngest person on the list. She is the eighth trans woman on the list.

I share this context because we need to understand the different ways anti-trans violence manifests. There’s an intersection between racial justice and trans identity, as well as intersections between trans identity and violence. There is also class/economic intersections, health intersections, age, education, location, housing stability, and more.

Juniper die in a vacuum. The investigation into her death will also be subject to those intersections.

Some names missing from my list. It is simply a matter of time, I try to stay current but I need some grace. I will get there.

Other violent deaths from Washington State. In 2024, Kenji Spurgeon was killed. Kit Nelson-Mora was reported missing. In 2021, Zoella “Zoey” Rose Martinez  was killed along with Rikkey Outumuro. In 2019, Nikki Kuhnhausen was killed.

As with Nathaniel Potts, I also looked at the data for teenagers up to age 19. I found 25 documented murders with the youngest age 14. My heart sank when I looked at the tally. Who knows what those beautiful young people would have accomplished, how many dreams would have been fulfilled? Juniper is among that group now.

We should be furious. More children and young people will die because of the ongoing demonization, the hateful and vicious attacks on trans folx, especially young people. Stripping children of the freedom to control their own identity, to use a bathroom that feels safe, denying them a chance to see people like them in books and school lessons. Teaching other children that trans kids are a threat because they want to be themselves. Torturing parents into fleeing their home state and the States to ensure their kids have access to health care. To have a chance to grow up.

That callous disregard for the beautiful trans youth and children among us – including gender nonconforming youth – fuels the sort of ugly violence that rationalizes stabbing a 19 year old over 40 times. Those things are all connected. Juniper’s existence was devalued by her government, by the media, and by the community narrative.

Dehumanizing trans folx is killing our children.

Rest in power, Juniper. Your legacy will be joyful and educational. I am so so very sorry for what you endured, no one should have that experience. Thinking about your fear and pain is overwhelming, but necessary to create a better world.

May your memory be a revolution.

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.
11. Nathaniel Potts – Eldorado, Illinois, May 20, 2026. Age 16.
12. Persia Amarra Conway – Houston, Texas. Date unconfirmed. Found on May 26, 2026. Age 33.
13. Juniper Blessing – Seattle, Washington. May 8, 2026. Age 19.

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.