Post submitted by Sula Malina, HRC Foundation Children, Youth & Families Program Coordinator

HRC mourns the loss of Rhiannon Winter Layendecker, a transgender woman fatally shot in Englewood, Florida, on December 16.

The Miami Herald reported that Layendecker, 51, was shot by her wife Jessica Winkler, 48, after a domestic dispute in their home. Winkler, who is also transgender, later called 911 to report the killing and faces charges of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

While police have not released further details about the crime, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that Layendecker’s body was found in the bed of her pickup truck, and that Winkler allegedly intended to bury her on the couple’s property.

Layendecker was described by her neighbors as “fun,” “loving” and someone who “would do anything for you.” She was an animal lover, posting countless photos of rescue dogs and cats on her Facebook page in the months leading up to her untimely death.

Layendecker’s death is a painful reminder that more must be done to support those experiencing intimate partner violence. Trans people are disproportionately represented in domestic violence cases across the country. Jamie Saunders, CEO of Willow Domestic Violence Center, noted that transgender people face “additional unique barriers” in seeking safety and support from domestic violence.

Layendecker’s death marks the 29th known killing of a transgender person in 2017, the deadliest year on record for transgender people at the time of this article.  

If you or someone you know is a survivor of intimate partner violence and in need of support, check out this list of resources:

• Let's Talk About It: A Transgender Survivor's Guide to Accessing Therapy
• National Sexual Assault Hotline
  • 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) 24/7 or online counseling 
• Love is Respect Hotline (for youth)
  • 1-866-331-99474 (24/7) or Text “loveis” 22522
• The Anti-Violence Project– serves people who are LGBTQ
  • Hotline 212-714-1124 Bilingual 24/7
• GLBT National Help Center
  • Hotline 1800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743) or online chat
• FORGE– serves transgender and gender nonconforming survivors of domestic and sexual violence; provides referrals to local counselors
• The Network La Red – serves LGBTQ, poly, and kink/BDSM survivors of abuse; bilingual
  • Hotline 617-742-4911
• Northwest Network – serves LGBT survivors of abuse; can provide local referrals
  • Hotline 206-568-7777

To learn more about HRC’s transgender justice work, visit hrc.org/Transgender.