Amber Minor, a 40-year-old Black trans woman, was killed in Raytown, Missouri on December 24th, 2023. She was described as a “warrior” with a strong will and spirit. Amber was also a previous survivor of violence, recovering from gunshot wounds and having been hit by a car.

Meghan Riley Lewis, a transgender woman and a mother of two, was a staple in her community for transgender activism. She devoted her life to feeding hungry and unhoused queer people. On December 27, 2023, reports shared that Lewis was shot and killed by a food delivery person following a verbal altercation that turned physical in Bel Air, Maryland. Despite attempts to save Lewis by emergency responders, she ultimately passed away after being taken to the hospital.

Savannah Ryan Williams, a 38-year-old Cuban and Native transgender woman, was described by her partner as a “loving, caring person.” Amber Muhm with The Aliveness Project described Savannah as “...fierce, full of life. She had a big personality and an even bigger heart” during an interview with the Minnesota Public Radio. Savannah was violently killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 29. On December 7, 2023, the Minnesota State Capitol echoed in remembrance as Savannah’s partner, friends, chosen family, and even legislators and public officials gathered for a vigil in her honor.

Jean Butchart, a 26-year-old white transgender man, loved “camping, foraging, gardening, and mushroom-hunting,” according to his obituary, which earned him the nickname "Nature Boy.” He was the youngest of three siblings. Having earned himself a Bachelor of Science degree, he was working toward becoming a teacher, hoping to teach middle and high schoolers about the environment. Jean was fatally shot in Belleville, Michigan in a mobile home park during a series of violent incidents on August 4, 2023.

Kejuan Richardson, a 21-year-old gender-expansive Black man, loved to sing and is remembered for their deep love of music by friends and family. On November 14, 2023, Kejuan, was shot and killed in Toledo, Ohio, while driving around their hometown with their friend, Amiri Reid, a Black transgender Black woman.

According to friends and family, 21-year-old Amiri Reid, a Black trans woman, was the “life of the party. She had an infectious sense of humor. Amiri was fatally shot on Nov. 14, 2023, in Toledo, Ohio, while driving around her hometown with her friend Kajaun Richardson, a gender-expansive gay Black man.

LaKendra Andrews, a 26-year-old Black transgender woman, was from Shreveport, Louisiana, and was the founder of a non-profit. According to PGHLesbian Correspondents, LaKendra was “interested in cooking, drawing, dance, baking, and music. She was a fan of Nicki Minaj.”

LaKendra was fatally shot on April 29, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. Initial reporting misgendered LaKendra. HRC learned of her death from Nu Trans Movement, Inc., in November.

London Price, a 26-year-old Black transgender woman, was described by her aunt as being “always beautiful and pretty,” saying, “She’ll give you the shirt off her back, and I think that’s kind of what put her in this situation to get her hurt.”

London was fatally shot in Miami-Dade County on October 23, 2023.

Lisa Love, a 35-year-old Black transgender woman, was described as a friend as “funny, smart, beautiful and a breath of fresh air to this world.” Lisa’s cousin remembered her “an all-around good person who did not deserve this. A loving, caring, free-spirited person. Always smiling and laughing.”

Lisa was fatally shot on Oct. 17, 2023, while walking home from a friend’s house. An investigation of the shooting is ongoing. Lisa’s family members believe it was a targeted shooting.

Dominic Dupree, who was also known as Dominic Palace, was a 25-year-old Black gender-expansive person from Gary, Indiana, who operated companies including Private Protection Division LLC and Hondo IV Lawncare and Snow Removal LLC. Tragically, Dominic was fatally shot in Chicago on October 13, 2023. Homicide detectives are currently investigating. On social media, several of Dominic’s friends and family members expressed their grief and condolences.

A’nee Johnson, who was also known as A’nee Roberson, was a 30-year-old Black transgender woman from Washington D.C. A’nee was well loved by many friends. Tragically, on October 14, 2023, A’nee was killed during an assault when she was pushed into a roadway and hit by a car. The driver of the car, who was not involved in the assault, stayed at the scene. Homicide detectives are searching for the person who assaulted her and caused her death.

Sherlyn Marjorie was a 35-year-old Latine transgender woman and drag performer who one friend remembered as “the best impersonator in Tijuana, my second Edith Marquez.” She was beloved by her local LGBTQ+ community in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she was killed on September 17, 2023. A suspect, Sherlyn’s former intimate partner, has been charged with her murder.

Chyna Long was a 30-year-old Black transgender woman and dance choreographer who was shot and killed on October 8, 2023, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her life was honored by friends, family and the local LGBTQ+ community in Milwaukee at the Zao MKE Church. Anotonio Currin was arrested and charged with first-degree reckless homicide and with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in Chyna’s murder case.

Luis Ángel Díaz Castro, a trans man from Puerto Rico, studied at The Universidad de Puerto Rico en Arecibo and worked at the Department of Education. He also loved Latin music. His family noted Hector Maysonet and Chema y JohnD as his favorite music artists.

At just 22 years old, Luis Ángel was tragically murdered on August 12, 2023, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The person accused of killing Luis Ángel is in police custody.

YOKO was a talented nonbinary artist and DJ. YOKO loved their family and their friends, who remember YOKO as “an exceptional, joyful, absurdly talented, and extremely loving and gentle human.” YOKO’s work included modeling, tattooing, murals, publications, solo showings, curating art shows, and doing live works for different shows and events.

YOKO was killed when they were struck and killed by a driver of an SUV on September 19, 2023. The driver fled the scene. Their death marks the at least 18th violent killing of a trans or gender-expansive person this year.

Thomas ‘Tom-Tom’ Robertson, a 28-year-old Black gender-expansive person, was working as a cook at a local IHOP restaurant in East Chicago, Indiana, having relocated there from Chicago, Illinois, where he was born and raised. Thomas frequently changed the color and style of his hair, posting photos online showcasing his creativity.

On August 17, 2023, Thomas and a 25-year-old individual were victims of a fatal shooting in Calumet City, Indiana, marking the at least 17th violent killing of a transgender or gender-expansive person this year.

According to reports, DéVonnie J’Rae Johnson - a 28-year-old Black transgender woman - was a vibrant artist who was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She had moved to Los Angeles in order to transition. Those who knew her called her “a well-loved and cherished friend and member of the community.”

DéVonnie was shot and killed on August 7, 2023, during an altercation with a security guard just one day after her birthday, according to news reports and social media.

Camdyn Rider, a 21-year-old white transgender man, was eight months pregnant at the time of his murder which occurred on July 21, 2023, outside his home in Winter Park, Florida. Camdyn had recently posted on Facebook about how excited he was to welcome a child into the world.

According to news reports, Camdyn was killed by his partner, Riley Groover, during an argument. Groover then died by suicide. Sheriff's deputies investigating the murder revealed that Groover had a “history of violence,” and that prior domestic violence incidents had not been reported.

Jacob Williamson, an 18-year-old transgender man, worked at a local Waffle House and was beloved by coworkers and even had moved in with one of them about a month prior to his death, according to his coworker’s TikTok account. Jacob loved to sing and draw.

Jacob was killed in Monroe, South Carolina, on June 30, 2023.

Chanell Perez Ortiz, a 29-year-old Puerto Rican transgender woman, was a cosmetologist. She was interested in fashion, makeup and hair styles. She shared quotes from French designer Coco Chanel.

According to PGH Lesbian, Channel “shared a lot of playful, fun content, and clearly had strong friendships with people who are grieving her deeply.” Channel was killed in Carolina, Puerto Rico, on June 25, 2023.

Ashia Davis was a 34-year-old Black transgender woman from Detroit who was full of joy, devoted to her faith, and a loving dog owner to a Yorkie named Clyde. On June 2, 2023, the second day of Pride Month, Ashia was found dead in a Highland Park hotel room. Allona Anderson, Ashia’s good friend who is also transgender, spoke to FOX2 News and said they had known each other since they were children. “And we loved each other. That was a good friend of mine."

Banko Brown was a 24-year-old Black trans man who is remembered as being “brilliant” and as someone who made “everybody laugh.” Julia Arroyo, the co-executive director of the Young Women’s Freedom Center where Brown was working as a community organizing intern, said Banko “made friends easily and connected deeply with others.”

On April 27, 2023, he was killed by an armed security guard in San Francisco after an altercation with an armed security guard at a local Walgreens store.

Koko Da Doll was a 35-year-old Black transgender woman, a successful rapper who was working on new music, and starred in the barrier-breaking, award-winning Sundance Film Festival documentary, “Kokomo City.”

Tragically, Koko was found shot to death near an Atlanta shopping plaza on April 18.

Ashley Burton was a 37-year-old Black transgender woman who was described as “a courageous fighter” by her cousin. Her brother Patrick praised her authenticity as a trans woman saying, “The way my sibling moved in life, it was…take it or leave it. ‘This is how I am.’ You can respect it or neglect it, but Ashley put it out there and let that person know. It’s not going to be a secret."

Ashley was killed in Atlanta Georgia on April 11, 2023.

Ta'Siyah Woodland was a Black "high-spirited” transgender woman who was “protective of those she loved." On a GoFundMe page, Ta'Siyah's aunt, Lizzy Woodland, said "she made everyone around her know that they were loved."

Ta'Siyah was tragically killed in St. Mary’s County, Maryland on March 24, 2023.

Tortuguita, a 26-year-old Indigenous queer and non-binary environmental activist and community organizer, is remembered as a “radiant, joyful, beloved community member” who “brought an indescribable jubilance to each and every moment of their life,” and “fought tirelessly to honor and protect the sacred land of the Weelaunee Forest. They took great joy in caring for each and every person that they came across."

Tortuguita was shot and killed by Georgia state troopers in Atlanta, Georgia on January 18, 2023, during an ongoing protest alongside other self-described “forest defender” protestors against a proposed $90 million, 85-acre police training facility deemed “Cop City” by activists, slated to be built in the Weelaunee Forest in Atlanta.

In a GoFundMe started to help cover funeral costs for Chashay Ashanti Henderson, the 31-year-old Black transgender woman is described as “a bubbly spirit with a down to earth, tell it like it is personality,” who was “as beautiful as can be, inside and out.” The GoFundMe also notes that Cashay is survived by her father, mother, sister, and niece, as well as other family and “many, many friends.” Chashay was shot in Milwaukee on February 26, 2023.

Maria Jose Rivera Rivera, a 22-year-old Latine transgender woman, was described by her immigration lawyer as “lively, funny, and dynamic” and “a joy to work with.” On January 21, 2023, Maria Jose was found fatally shot in Houston, one of two people found dead at an apartment complex in an apparent murder-suicide. Her death is at least the fifth violent killing of a transgender or gender-expansive person in 2023.

On a GoFundMe page for Zachee Imanitwitaho’s funeral expenses, the Black transgender woman was described as someone who was “well-loved by family, friends, and coworkers, and that she lived her life bravely and authentically.” She immigrated to the U.S. from Rwanda and was killed on February 3, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky in the parking lot of her workplace.

Unique Banks, a 21-year-old Latine trans woman, was killed in a mass shooting along with her mother, Alexsandra Olmo, on January 23, 2023, in Chicago. Unique’s father Omar Burgos said that his “heart is torn apart” and that he had hoped for her to live with him in Florida. Three other people, including two other trans women, were also attacked during the shooting, leaving them in critical condition.

According to local news, KC Johnson's partner Bulla Brodzinski remembered her as being “kind and caring." The 27-year-old white transgender woman who was killed in Wilmington, North Carolina on January 14, 2023, after being declared missing on January 13.

Jasmine “Star” Mack’s sister, Pamela Witherspoon, said that Jasmine was “a sweet person.” She also said that her sister “loved to sing gospel songs and was an excellent actor.” The 36-year-old Black transgender woman who was killed in Washington, D.C. on January 7, 2023.

In doing the work, there are some cases that surface that are unclear - where victims may have died by other means than violent acts by another individual. In these cases, HRC works to monitor developments closely and calls for further investigation into the causes and circumstances surrounding their deaths.

In this report, we shed light on the epidemic of violence taking the lives of transgender and gender-expansive people. We remember the individuals who were taken from us in 2022 and provide analysis of data we have collected on fatal violence against transgender and gender-expansive people since 2013 — the year the Federal Bureau of Investigation began reporting on hate crimes motivated by anti-transgender bias.

Our “Dismantling a Culture of Violence” report demonstrates how anti-transgender stigma, denial of opportunity and increased risk factors compound to create a culture of violence -- and provides clear ways that each of us can directly make an impact to make our society a safer place for transgender and gender-expansive people.

In the pursuit of greater accuracy and respect for transgender and gender-expansive people in both life and death, HRC offers guidelines for journalists and others who report on these communities.