Chae’Meshia Simms, a black trans woman in her 30s, was found dead on November 23 in Richmond, Virginia, making her the 39th known trans person to have been killed in the US in 2020.
According to local news outlet, WWBT, police officers found Simms’ body in a car which had crashed into a detached garage in an alleyway; she had a bullet wound which is presumed to be the cause of her death.
It is unclear if her death is the result of anti-trans violence, and police have yet to identify any suspects. A medical examiner is due to determine the cause and manner of death.Simms was killed only three days after the annual Trans Day of Remembrance; an event held to commemorate victims of transphobic hate crimes.