Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Karmin Wells, a 37-year-old Black trans woman, was killed in Detroit on May 25, 2025. Her killer remains unidentified.

The Crime

Detroit Police, who suspect the slaying was a set-up, said Wells arranged to meet a man for a date at her house in the 15400 block of Troester St., at around 11 a.m.

Police said the suspect stayed just about ten minutes before shooting Wells, stealing her phone, and running from the scene. (Via The Advocate)

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detroit Police at 313-596-2212. Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest. Crime Stoppers can be reached at (800)-SPEAK-UP.

Karmin has a lot of advocates including LGBTQ community engagement liaison with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, her chosen mother, Monica Hudson. and members of her birth family.

Honoring Karmin

Karmin was born and raised in Detroit. She graduated from Cooley High School in 2001. She was days away from her early June birthday when she was killed. Karmin belonged to the House of Revlon and helped to found the Detroit chapter in 2007. She was a well known fashion model and venerated for her ballroom walks in Detroit.

Karmin briefly moved to Atlanta, with her ballroom mother but returned home to Detroit.

“Karmin would hit that runway and set fire to that runway,” Hudson told the publication. “Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks would have absolutely nothing on Karmin when Karmin was on that runway.” Dubbed “the walking wonder,” Wells won the status of legend in the Iconic Internationall House of Revlon in 2018.

Karmin was a fan of several classic music artists including Missy Elliot, Madonna, Chaka Khan, and Aretha Franklin. She was a fan of the Carolina Panthers. She followed lots of ballroom and LGBTQ content on television and online.

Karmin’s social media is filled with remembrances and grief from her best friend, ballroom family, neighbors, and friends. She clearly was very much loved. That sort of love sustains survivors and empowers them to pursue justice. Karmin’s legacy will never fade.

Context

Karmin is the 17th trans person whose death has been reported in 2025. .She is the fourteenth trans woman. She is the eighth Black trans woman, the eleventh Black trans person, and the thirteenth transgender person of color on our list. At 37, she is the third oldest person on the list.

76% of deaths I have documented (so far) are BIPOC. 47% have been Black trans women. That should be shockingly disproportionate to everyone.

Karmin’s death is the second reported from Detroit this yea including Tahiry Broom. Also in 2025, we learned about the 2023 murder of Amira O’Neill. In 2023, Ashia Davis and Jean Thomas Butchart were reported. In 2022, we grieved Naomie Skinner Ray Muscat Hayden Davis and Dede Ricks. In 2021, Natasha Keianna and Keanna Mattel in 2018. in 2015, a gay black man known as Melvin was killed in Detroit. in 2015, Amber Monroe was killed. I’m also working on a memorial for 28-year-old Christina Hayes, also of Detroit.

So many lives lost. And no leads in this case. How can that be? Why are our sisters, brothers, and neighbors discarded without justice?

Rest in power, Karmin. I am sorry it has taken so long for me to honor your life and acknowledge your death. Thank you for the joy and beautfy and fierceness you brought to this world. Thank you for forging a path for others and sharing your gifts with all of us. I hope justice will prevail.

May your memory be a revolution.

Deaths reported in 2025

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1. Tahiry ‘Tokyo’ Broom – February 9, 2025. Detroit, Michigan. Age 29.
2. Sam Nordquist – February 2025. Canandaigua, New York. Age 24.
3. Amyri Dior – February 21, 2025. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Age 23.
4. Ervianna ‘Baydee’ Johnsonn – February 19, 2025. Tabor City, North Carolina. Age 25.
5. Linda Becerra Moran – February 27, 2025. Los Angeles, California. Age 30.
6. Kaitoria ‘Kai’ Le’Cynthia Bankz – March 31, 2025. Autaugaville, Alabama. Age 31.
7. Kelsey Elem – April 24, 2025. St. Louis, Missouri. Age 25.
8. Shy’Parius Dupree – May 19, 2025. Memphis, Tennessee. Age 32.
9. Laura Schueler – June 7, 2025. Cincinnati, Ohio. Age 47.
10. Hope Lyca Youngblood – June 7, 2025, Los Angeles, California. Age 49.
11. JJ Godbey – June 19, 2025, Canton, Ohio. Age 26.
12. Rosa Martinez Machuca – August 11, 2025, Austin, Texas. Age 24.
13. Kamora Woods – June 25, 2025, Indianapolis, Indiana. Age 27.
14. Kasi Rhea – August 18, 2025, Lynchburg, Virginia. Age 31.
15. Blair Sawyer – August 11, 2025, Louisville, Kentucky. Age 27.
16. Onyx Cornish – August 19, 2025. Caldwell, Idaho. Age 18.
17. Karmin Wells – May 25, 2025. Detroit, Michigan. Age 37.

Other deaths I’ve reported during 2025

• Elisa Rae Shupe – January 27, 2025. Syracuse, New York. Age 61.
• Chilendrina Gracia Dominguez – January 18, 2021. Reported February 2025. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Age 42.
• Amira O’Neill – July 6, 2023. Ann Arbor, Michigan. Age 44.
• Jay Lee – July 8, 2022. Oxford, Mississippi. Age 20.
• Ezra Hulett – June 23, 2025. Dominican Republic. Age 24.
• Blair Lumpkins Crabb – January 2025. California. Age 31.