Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Drag artist Dwight Doughty who performed as Ya’Hyrah Alexander died from a gun shot injury on Monday, October 26, 2026.

According to WWLTV, a man was found dead from a gunshot wound. This was in New Orleans near the Desire neighborhood. New Orleans police arrived shortly before 4:40 a.m. to a report of a man down. NOPD is investigating the homicide as circumstances and suspect information remain unclear.

Anyone with additional information that can assist in this investigation is asked to contact NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300, or to call anonymously to Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP. Tips can also be submitted online at https://www.crimestoppersgno.org

Honoring Dwight/Ya’Hyrah

Dwight was a cisgender Black gay man. He performed as a drag artist using the name Ya’Hyrah Alexander. Dwight specifically performed in a pageantry circuit specifically created for gay men and male-identified entertainers to showcase the art of female impersonation. Dwight was not transgender, but we honor his life and death.

He was born in New Orleans. He attended and graduated from Warren Easton Senior High School. Then, he went on to earn an associate degree from Delgado Community College and bachelors degree at Tulane in 2017.

As a drag artist, Dwight had participated in multiple pageants including Miss Gay Louisiana USofA Newcomer 24’, Miss Gay Lonestar USofA Newcomer 25’, and Queen at Royal Supreme Newcomer 25″. He achieved his dream this summer when he was crowned Miss Gay USofA Newcomer 2026.

Afterwards, Dwight shared:

Today, I don’t just celebrate becoming Miss Gay USofA Newcomer. I celebrate resilience. I celebrate perseverance. I celebrate growth. I celebrate never allowing disappointment to become defeat.

To anyone chasing a dream that seems just out of reach, let my story remind you: don’t quit. Keep showing up. Keep believing. Keep doing the work. Your timing is coming.

It has been the honor of a lifetime to compete in the Newcomer division, and now I begin this next chapter with gratitude, humility, and a heart ready to serve. I promise to wear this crown with pride.

Dwight only enjoyed and served his community in this role for less than three months. He was just 35 when he died. He had accomplished so much, yet had the potential to go so much further both in the drag community and beyond.

USofA Pageants issued a statement “She did not just win a title. She completed a journey.”

Dwight had previously been a dancer with a rap group. Professionally, Dwight worked as a Beauty Advisor with the Tom Ford Beauty part of the The Estée Lauder Companies along side MAC Cosmetics since 2025. On his Facebook page, Dwight commented on learning to apply professional makeup to other people with the support of his coworkers with the goal of supporting other pageant contestants. Previously, he has worked as a vet tech and a high school flag team coach.

In July 2026, Dwight pivoted to a career in education with George Washington Carver High School, a public charter high. The school was less than a mile from the scene of his death.

Dwight treasured his relationships with his drag family, celebrating their accomplishments and soaking up the moments spent together on stage and off. He participated in New Orleans Black Pride and New Orleans Urban Pride.

Dwight traveled to many clubs and show throughout the Gulf Coast.

Context

Dwight is the 32nd person whose death we’ve memorialized in 2026. (see below)

He is the first cisgender male, the 20th person of color, and the second drag artist. Dwight was part of the drag community, but was not transgender. Conflating drag with being transgender is inaccurate. At this point in time, we have no reason to believe Dwight was targeted for his drag identity.

Earlier this year, we reported on the killing of Marlow Trottie. In 2023, we reported on the death of YOKO. In 2021, we documented the death of Pooh Johnson, Fifty Bandzzz. Keeva Scatter, and Geri Judd. In 2020, we reported on Draya McCarty Shaki Peters, Kee Sam, Brooklyn DeShauna Smith and Queasha Hardy. In 2018, Amia Tyrae Berryman, Vontashia Bell. In 2017, Chyna Gibson, Ciara McElveen and Jaquarrius Holland (Brown) were killed. From 2016, Demarkis Stansberry and Goddess Diamond were killed.

That’s 19 violent deaths recorded in Louisiana. I actually lived in Louisiana for three years so I’ve experienced that dangerous mix of excitement and danger. We are all familiar with the current political context. All of those things make for an environment not friendly or affirming. This is also a moment to say the names of those who passed over the previous decade and hope in some way their spirits offered comfort to trans and drag community members. Their collective stories, their lives and deaths, are important to the narrative in Louisiana.

Also earlier this year, Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-Mccray was killed. Although distinct from drag, Leia Trysiss Ali participated in Fa’afafine pageants. Several individuals on our list were part of the ballroom community which is intimately linked to drag artistry. There’s a level of strength and vulnerability resisting gender conformity, whether in performance on stage or lived experiences. It is important that we distinguish, but also that we acknowledge that our entire community is often just one big target. People fail to grasp that violence targeting trans and gender non-conforming neighbors is just a hairsbreadth away from cisgender gay and lesbian individuals.

Rest in power, Dwight. The mark you made on this world stemmed from your dedication, hard work, and joy. Your beauty and determination were reflected in your soul. I am so sorry we did not protect you from whatever violence stole your life. It is clear your friends and drag family will celebrate and honor you. As you deserve.

May your memory be a revolution.

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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.
14. Marlow Trottie – Alexandria, Louisiana. June 8, 2026. Age 35.
15. La’Daijah Walters – Mobile, Alabama. June 22, 2026. Age 32.
16. William ‘Ike’ Eickholt – Hastings, Minnesota. February 1, 2025. Age 74.
17. Kayonna Ankeny – Augusta, Georgia. February 5, 2023. Age 30.
18. Asia Williams – Baltimore, Maryland. June 23, 2026. Age 38.
19. Haley Brook Terry – Mobile, Alabama. April 6, 2025. Age 20.
20. Jayla McGee – Belle Glade, Florida (presumed). July 5, 2026. Age 19.
21. Cormac Robinson – Carrollton, Georgia. October 15, 2025. Age 24.
22. Patti Wilson – Grand Junction, Colorado. June 19, 2026. Age 31.
23. Juju Nadeau – Portland, Maine. August 5, 2026. Age 21.
24. Sophie Lee – Baltimore, Maryland. September 11, 2026. Age 27.
25. Jonathan McKinsey – San Francisco, California. September 26, 2026. Age 40.
26. Denise Johnson – Halawa, Hawaii. August 4, 2026. Age 55.
27. Jhené Aubricht – St. Louis, Missouri. August 18, 2026. Age 21.
28. Dwight Doughty also known as Ya’Hyrah Alexander – New Orleans, Louisiana. October 26, 2026.

Other Deaths

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

• Kalena ‘Peaches’ Croskey – Birmingham, Alabama. June 11, 2026. Age 35.
• Daniella Analee Escobedo – Las Vegas, Nevada (unconfirmed), April 12, 2026. Age 34.
• Name Unknown – Charlotte, North Carolina. Found on May 21, 2026. Date of death unknown. Age unknown.
• Leia Trysiss Ali – Las Vegas, Nevada. May 24, 2026. Age 35.