Black transgender woman Bee Love Slater was founded killed and burned in a car in Clewiston, Florida on Wednesday (September 4), reported NewNowNext. The victim was not identified until Friday (September 6), as her body was “burnt beyond recognition,” according to Hendry County Captain Susan Harrell.
No arrests have been made and police are still working to determine a motive for killing Slater. However, Slater reportedly received threatening messages on Facebook days before her death.
“She posted messages saying she felt as if people were after her to attack and hurt her and she had a conversation with one of her best friends the day she was murdered saying she wanted to leave [the city],” Antorris Williams, a friend of Slater, told Out Magazine.
Slater is the 18th trans person killed in America this year. Her death closely follows the murder of 17-year-old Bailey Reeves, who was shot and killed in Baltimore, Maryland. Seventeen of the 18 victims have been black women.
“We know that black women, both trans and cis, face extreme and disproportionate levels of violence,” David Johns, the Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, said in a statement. “Black trans women being murdered is becoming too common. We must do more than stand silently in solidarity. We must say their names and be called to act.”
“Supporting trans and cisgender women alike, is more than quoting from popular television shows or reposting on social media,” the statement continued. “We must supplement those actions with sustained and meaningful civic, political, and community action that ensures that Black women and girls, both trans and cis, are protected in principle and in practice.”