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Three Suspects in Her Beating/Strangulation are Now in Custody Anti-Violence Groups Warn of a Possible 'Trans-Panic' Defense
Initial forensic reports indicate that the victim suffered a beating, was bound and then strangled. Three other suspects were later arrested in connection with the murder. The suspects range in age from 19 to 25 years of age. A fourth suspect was released without being charged, according to USA Today. Some reports indicate that Araujo may have had a relationship with one of the accused, who found out at the party where she was last seen that Araujo was not a biological female, and that this discovery precipitated the anger of the suspects and led them to murder Araujo. "This murder is both sickening and sad," said Clarence Patton, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs' Acting Executive Director. "It demands the highest level of attention from law enforcement as well as the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community in California and across the country. "While much of the attention given to hate crimes tends to focus on lesbian and gay adults, and statistics indicate that they are the most likely victims to report incidents, we know that people of transgender experience and young GLBT people are at extraordinary risk for harassment, violence and murder," concluded Patton. "What we may have to anticipate, is the possibility of a 'trans-panic' defense given some of what's coming to light about the relationship between Gwen and at least one of the suspects. We hope that that is not allowed to occur," said Jennifer Rakowski, Associate Director at Community United Against Violence in San Francisco and an NCAVP Board member. "This murder is horrific on so many levels," said Rakowski. "Its brutality, is of course distressing, but beyond that, the ongoing intolerance of gender expression and the abject violence that can accompany it only points to how much more work we have to do as a society," she concluded. The Human Rights Campaign has also expressed "profound sadness" for what, it says, "appears likely to be a hate crime." "We would like to convey our tremendous grief to the family and friends of Gwen Araujo, who are dealing with this unspeakable and senseless act of violence," said Seth Kilbourn, HRC's national field director. "We are glad police have apprehended the suspects in what looks to be a hate crime of the most heinous magnitude. At HRC, we abhor the ignorance and hate that leads all too often to violence against transgender Americans." "I'm going to bury him in the prettiest dress I can find," Sylvia Guerrero, Araujo's mother told USA Today. "With make-up. His tombstone will say 'Gwen'." Gwen's family has set up a fund in her name. Contributions can be sent to Eddie/Gwen Araujo Memorial Fund: San Benito Bank, 300 Tres Pinos Road, Hollister, CA 95023-5578, (831) 637-2265. |
Murder victim Gwen Araujo