Detroit Transgendered Woman Found Murdered

Posted on November 11, 2011 by PFLAG FR Detroit

Shelley (Henry) Hilliard

Shelley Hilliard (no relation) was a beautiful model and hairdresser from Detroit Michigan whose mutilated and burned torso was found recently after a two-week search. The Detroit office of the FBI has decided to treat this horrendous act as a hate crime. According to local news reports:

Hilliard’s mother identified the torso, which was found Oct. 23. Hilliard was born Henry Hilliard and was known as Treasure.

County spokesman Dennis Niemiec says a cherry tattoo on Hilliard’s arm helped lead police to an identity.

The advocacy group Equality Michigan says in a release that it has been helping police on the case and asked the FBI to look into Hilliard’s slaying as a hate crime.

Victims Services Director Nusrat Ventimiglia says “transgender women of color are often targets of hate violence.”