Content warning: This story may include topics that could make some readers feel uncomfortable. Royal Poetical Starz was shot and killed on 2 October on a residential street in Miami Gardens, Florida.
According to South Florida Gay News, a friend describes her as “the life of the party…everyone loved how Poetical was dressed.
They would always comment, ‘Girl, I love that hair.’ Or ‘Girl, I love those nails.’” News of her death arrived a while after it happened, which is reportedly the result of her being misgendered by media outlets reporting on the crime.
Miami Gardens Police Department said they will be releasing more details soon and, on 4 October, shared a photo of Poetical – misgendering her as a “Black male”.