Navy seaman arrested in transgender stabbing murder

Pascagoula, Miss. (AP) – A Navy seaman in training has been arrested and charged with capital murder in the weekend stabbing death of a transgender woman.

The Sun-Herald reports that the suspect is Dwanya Hickerson, 20, of New Orleans.

The victim was Dee Whigham, 25, of Shubuta, who police say was killed at a hotel in the St. Martin area July 23 night. Authorities said robbery was involved, but Sheriff Mike Ezell said that authorities were looking into whether the stabbing should be classified as a hate crime.

“If this turns out to be a hate crime, we will pursue this to the fullest in court,” Ezell said.

Whigham was a registered nurse at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.

Ezell told WLOX-TV that Hickerson was captured at Keesler Air Force Base, where he was assigned for training.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Capt. Chris Stratton said Hickerson is the man caught on surveillance photos leaving the hotel where Whigman was staying with friends and co-workers. The group was in town for the Gulf Coast Black Rodeo.

Ezell would not release any other information July 25, including whether Hickerson had met Whigham at the rodeo. He also said he could not identify the items stolen because of the ongoing investigation.

Whigham’s family said she was just starting her career in the medical field. Amanda Kirby, media relations coordinator at Forrest General Hospital, confirmed that Whigham started working there in January.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Dee Whigham as they try to make sense of this terrible tragedy,” said Evan Dillard, president and CEO of Forrest Health. “She will be remembered at Forrest Health as an excellent nurse who was well-loved by her patients. I know Dee will be missed by her co-workers, supervisors, and the Forrest Health family.”

Whigham’s killing is the third homicide in Jackson County so far this year.

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