After originally investigating the death of Kristina Gomez Reinwald as a suicide, Miami-Dade police have now ruled the case a homicide investigation.
The 46-year-old trans woman, also known as Kristina Grant Infiniti, was found dead in her home in the 2000 block of Southwest 58th Court on Sunday. According to activists, she is the eighth transperson to be murdered in America this year.
Though friends suspect that a boyfriend may have murdered Reinwald, police say they are investigating multiple leads and do not have a suspect at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
Reinwald's death follows the murders of "Goddess" Edwards in Indianapolis; Lamia Beard in Norfolk, Virginia; Ty Underwood of Tyler, Texas; Yazmin Vash Payne of Van Nuys, California; Taja DeJesus or San Francisco; Penny Proud of New Orleans; and Bri Golec of Akron, Ohio; in 2015 alone. Reinwald is the 6th transwoman of color to be murdered this year.
Though exact statistics of murdered transgender people are hard to come by, it's estimated that about 20 to 25 are murdered every year in America. That makes the rate of more than one murder a week so far in 2015 particularly worrying.
Friends will be staging a candlelight vigil in memory of Reinwald tonight at the Torch of Friendship in downtown Miami starting at 8 p.m.
"Too many lives have been lost," reads the Facebook event page. "Too long have we gone without justice; without equal footing. Our South Florida transgender community, and its allies, are invited to join us this Thursday evening for a vigil. In addition to honoring Kristina Grant Infiniti's life, the vigil will also provide space to mourn the passing of other transgender people who have been lost in these ways. We will shine light on the plight of gender nonconforming people, especially transgender women of color -- many of whom, sadly, have suffered and ultimately lost their lives due to a lack of awareness, education, and equality in our community. Together we can demand justice. Together we can stand in solidarity. Together we can make a change."
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