Post submitted by Brian McBride, former HRC Digital Strategist 

This post was updated April 4, 2018.

HRC is shocked and saddened to learn about the horrific death of Ally Steinfeld, a Missouri teen who went missing in early September.

The Springfield News-Leader reported on April 3, 2018, that the Texas County Prosecutor has charged Andrew Vrba with first-degree murder. Two other women, Briana Calderas, 24, and Isis Schauer, 18, were also charged with Steinfeld’s murder. Schauer, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in December, 2017, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Calderas is also charged with first degree murder and is awaiting trial.

A fourth person, James T. Grigsby, was charged with abandonment of a corpse and tampering with evidence in Steinfeld’s case, reported the paper.

According to reports, Vrba told authorities he stabbed Steinfeld, 17, with help from Schauer and Calderas and then moved the body outside and burned it. Police discovered Steinfeld’s remains in a burned pile in a bag outside Calderas’ home.

Schauer and Calderas both claim Vrba bragged about the murder, according to local news affiliate KY3 in Springfield, Missouri.

Multiple news outlets have misgendered Steinfeld and according to KY3, Steinfeld “sometimes” identified as female on social media. Police believe she was killed just days before her 18th birthday.

Steinfeld’s death marks the 21st known case of a trans person killed this year.

People have written messages of condolences on Steinfeld’s Facebook page, where she last posted in late August about dying her hair: “I feeling little bit beautiful how likes my hair i got it red.”

HRC extends its sincere condolences to Steinfeld’s family and friends during this difficult time.