Houston police are investigating the apparent murder of a transgender woman whose nude body was found Monday morning, May 25, near Brays Bayou in southwest Houston.
Police have not yet released more information on the victim’s identity.
ABC 13 Eyewitness News reports that an 18-year-old woman and her 12-year-old brother were walking in the 8900 block of Country Creek, at about 8:15 a.m., when they saw the individual laying “naked, lifeless” next to the bayou. The young woman called 911, and the Houston Fire Department responded, pronouncing the person dead.
Police say they are referring to the victim as a transgender woman “because of the person’s outward appearance,” according to ABC 13.
Police said that the victim appears to be between 24 and 30 years old, and that the investigation into their cause of death is ongoing.
Police are also working to determine whether the victim was dumped near the bayou, saying in a statement that the death is “not going to be an accident.”
Police have also said they believe the suspect likely took the victim’s clothing to avoid leaving any evidence, according to other reports.
— Tammye Nash