Latina Trans Woman Maria Jose Rivera Rivera, 22, Killed in Houston
Maria Jose Rivera Rivera was a 22-year-old Latina trans woman from El Salvador. Her death was first reported in late January, but unconfirmed by law enforcement investigators until recently.
Maria Jose was killed in what’s described as a murder-suicide by an intimate partner on January 21, 2023 in Houston. Based on early reporting, her death was discovered on January 21, but she may have been dead for as long as three days.
Her body was discovered after neighbors reported an unfamiliar smell and uncollected mail outside the apartment, according to NBC affiliate KPRC. Police told reporters that when they arrived for a wellness check, they found her and her partner dead in an apparent murder-suicide. Their cause of death was not publicly released. h/t Them.
Cristian Sanchez, Supervising Attorney at RAICES Texas and Maria Jose’s immigration lawyer, told HRC that all signs point to her murder being committed by an intimate partner.
“Maria Jose was a joy to work with. I always looked forward to speaking with her. She was lively, funny, and dynamic. My heart hurts from her loss. Transgender people who are immigrants suffer two levels of oppression and marginalization from society. This makes them especially vulnerable to harm. The transgender immigrant community…
