Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

A 32-year-old Black trans woman died while in police custody in the Birmgingham City Jail. Just two days later, a 35-year-old Black male was found dead in his cell in the same jail. No cause of death is available in either case.

The Black trans woman was named Kalena “Peaches” Croskey.

The crime

According to the Jefferson County Coronoer’s Office, Kalena “Peaches” Croskey was found dead Thursday, June 11, afternoon inside a single-person cell within the Birmingham City Jail. She was found unresponsive by correctional staff at the jail. She was found at 2:35 p.m. and pronounced dead at the jail at 3:26 p.m.

Authorities are still determining the cause of her death.

Then two days later, a Black male inmate was found was found unresponsive. His identity has not been made public, pending notification of his family.

There is no indication of a connection between Peaches and this unidentified man. Well, except that they should have been safe in custody.

Honoring Peaches

It has been hard to find anything about Peaches so we turn to those who loved and valued her.

The TAKE Project in Birmingham posted a lovely tribute to Peaches, her life and her challenges.

“She brought light, laughter, and joy into every space she entered. Despite the many challenges she faced throughout her life, she never allowed those struggles to define her. Whether she was singing her favorite Beyoncé songs, voguing to the beat, creating glamorous makeup looks, or simply making others smile, Peaches found ways to experience joy and share it with those around her. As a person who survived years of being unhoused, Peaches demonstrated resilience, creativity, and strength. She reminded us all of the importance of holding on to hope, even in the most difficult circumstances.”

Her friends and family in Alabama have been praising her and grieving news of her death.

There is not yet word on final arrangements. A vigil will be held during the Juneteenth celebration on June 20.

My suggestion is to make a donation of any amount in Peaches honor to the TAKE Project. They will be doing the work to the hold the City accountable.

Context

As I cannot confirm Peaches died from violence, I am revising my entire summation to include the unconfirmed deaths.  I laid out earlier why I think many deaths go unreported this year.

Peaches is the 18th trans person whose death I have documented this year, 2026. She is the eleventh trans person of color, the eleventh trans woman, the tenth trans woman of color and the seventh Black trans woman.

18 people are on this list. 12 of them are BIPOC trans siblings. Nine were Black, two were Latina, and one was Pasifika. Five were white, the identity of one is unknown as of now. We talk a lot about disproportionate impact – here is the evidence.

Daroneshia Duncan- Boyd writes:

“This loss is not accidental. It is a tragic reminder of the failures within criminal justice system are meant to provide care, support, and rehabilitation. The lack of adequate mental health resources, combined with negligence and systemic shortcomings, continues to cost lives.”

“I think about the bullying you endured when you first got there Birmingham City Jail. I think about the lack of access to specialty medications, the failure to prioritize your medical appointments, the disgusting food you spoke about, the pest infestations, the broken air conditioning, and the busted windows throughout the facility. Who deserves to be housed like that????? Just because someone has committed a crime does not make them any less human. Their humanity does not disappear. Their dignity should not be stripped away.When will we stand up and advocate for our people? When will we demand better?

Alabama is a cruel state. We reported on these deaths in previous years: 2025 Kaitoria ‘Kai’ Le’Cynthia Bankz In 2024, Tayy Dior Thomas and Cam Thompson. From 2020, Bella Pugh. In 2019, Dana Martin and in 2016, Jazz Alford. In 2015, a 17-year-old named Mercedes Williamson.

Conditions in jails throughout Alabama sound exactly like ICE facilities. That’s not a coincidence, it is a logical extension of the prison industrial complex. I fully expect the deaths of both Peaches and the second person to be downplayed or dismissed. I hope we can all support efforts on the ground to address the violations of human rights on all fronts.

The symbolic meaning of the headline I wrote only struck me as I arrived at this point in the post. It wasn’t a deliberate play on a famous civil rights point in time, it was a description of what literally happened. It is a description of what is continuing to happen to BIPOC individuals in prison systems, especially Black trans women. There’s nothing coincidental about it.

Rest in power, Peaches. You were loved fiercely and without reserve for your whole self. I am so sorry you were denied the appropriate health care you deserved, the safe spaces you needed to recover. Your human dignity, your humanity were not surrendered when you were arrested.

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.

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.
2. Name Unknown – Charlotte, North Carolina. Found on May 21, 2026. Date of death unknown. Age unknown.
3. Leia Trysiss Ali – Las Vegas, Nevada. May 24, 2026. Age 35.
4. Kalena ‘Peaches’ Croskey – Birmingham, Alabama. June 11, 2026. Age 35.