29-Year-Old Latina Trans Woman Chanell Pérez Ortiz Killed in Puerto Rico — Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents

A 29-year-old Puerto Rican trans woman Chanell Perez Ortiz was killed over the weekend in the city of Carolina in northern Puerto Rico. Chanell was also known as Uvita, an endearment, among her friends and family.

She was shot to death early on Sunday, June 25, on the PR-190 highway, behind a university in Carolina.

When officials responded to a 911 call about a person lying on the pavement, they found Chanell with multiple bullet rounds, as many as 7 or 8 according to Telemundo.

While Chanell has been misgendered and deadnamed in multiple media outlets, law enforcement has clarified that they are actively exploring if her gender identity was a factor in her murder (misgendering and deadnaming at these links.)

Police Commissioner Antonio López Figueroa reported in written statements that the case is being investigated as a transfemicide.

“The Criminal Investigation Corps (CIC) of the Police, attached to Carolina, is investigating all the angles surrounding the violent death of a trans woman, whose body presents bullet wounds. As established in the public policy of this Administration, the investigation is being conducted in accordance with the Protocol for the…