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Arrest Made in Murder of South Beach Drag Queen Wanda

A day after the funeral of Anthony Jerome Lee, better known to South Beach's club scene as the lively drag diva Wanda, police in Tampa confirmed they have made an arrest in her startling murder. According to the Tampa Bay Times, local police have apprehended Deandre Tolliver, 23, of Lakeland,...
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A day after the funeral of Anthony Jerome Lee, better known to South Beach's club scene as the lively drag diva Wanda, police in Tampa confirmed they have made an arrest in her startling murder.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, local police have apprehended Deandre Tolliver, 23, of Lakeland, and believe he is one of three men involved in Lee's May 28th murder.

Lee was cooking dinner at a friend's house that night when a suspect knocked. Lee opened the door and was shot five times at point-blank range. Police believe it might have been a case of mistaken identity.

Tolliver, 23, is already on probation after serving about six months in prison for assault with a deadly weapon. Though police aren't divulging his exact role in the ambush, he now faces charges of first-degree murder and robbery.

Two other suspects are still at large. However, police note that only one suspect got out of the car and confronted Lee.

Known for getting kicked out of just about every club in South Beach during its late-'90s heyday but always finding a way to get back in, Wanda cut a polarizing line down Washington Avenue. Anonymous fliers decrying her as a public nuisance were circulated among club owners, while others admired her onstage antics.

A memorial event was held last Thursday at Score to help raise funds for her funeral, during which about a dozen fellow queens performed. Each was introduced with her fondest memory of Wanda, which was often an insult Wanda had thrown their way.

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