Dallas – The body of a woman discovered in Dallas July 29 marks the 13th transgender murder in the US this year so far, surpassing the total for the entirety of 2014.
On Aug. 10, police identified the victim’s body as 22-year-old Shade Schuler. Schuler’s body was so decomposed it took nearly two weeks to identify her, according to police.
The Dallas Police Department, as well as some local media, misgendered Schuler in press releases and news stories.
Trans Pride Initiative’s president, Nell Gaither, confirmed the victim was transgender on the group’s Facebook page Aug. 11.
“Her name was Ms. Shade, and she was only 22 years old,” Gaither wrote on Facebook. “Our hearts and thoughts are with her family and friends who now must confront this unfortunate taking of life. May we find inspiration in this loss to work together, trans and cis alike, to end the violence that has taken so many of our trans siblings from us far too soon.”
A vigil is planned Aug. 17 at the Legacy of Love Monument in Dallas.
Police say they have no suspects and not much information known regarding the murder.
