Persia Amarra Conway Candlelight Vigil

“Persia Amarra Conway Was Loved” is the Message of the Family on the Death of the Black Trans Woman – Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents

Persia Amarra Conway, a 33 year old Black trans woman, was found deceased in a Houston bayou on May 26, 2026. Police have ruled her death a homicide. The Crime At this point, not much is known about the crime that led to her death and/or how she ended up in a bayou. We do know that two people walking near the bayou came across her body on May 26, 2026. They notified authorities. Her body was removed from the scene without any identification. Police later confirmed this individual was Persia Amarra Conway. Sadly the narrative quickly focused on the circumstances of the discovery of her body and speculation about her death rather than a careful response that acknowledged the tragedy and sought to lift up her life. To be clear, of course we want to find out who did this and why. Not only does justice and accountability require that, we have no way of knowing if this person is a threat to someone else. We cannot ever believe law enforcement will act with the intensity and focus necessary when investigating a crime involving a trans person, a person of color, or a woman. When the victim is all three, that means more vigilance is necessary. Honoring Persia Persia was born in March 1993 in Atlanta, Georgia. She was of Trinidadian descent. Family has described her as a Black woman so I am unsure if she is Afro-Indigenous. These details matter because they were her life story. She lived in Los Angeles before relocating to Houston. She traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Thailand, and Johannesburg according to her social media. She shared many music videos, celebrating Beyonce to Lauryn Hill and Sade as well as new artists. Her feed is also filled with trans pride images, inspirational quotes, and a genuine sense that she wanted good things for everyone. It is not lost on me that Beyonce is from Houston. Community members in Houston organized a vigil for her that was attended by her family members. Her family held a press conference on Tuesday June 2, showing a united loving front. Their love for Persia mingled with tears and outrage at the “indifference” of the Houston Police Department. During the conference, her mother said “I am angry that families like mine are often left fighting for answers that we never get because politicians and people in this world do not think that the transgender community matters.” Persia’s aunt later asked that we use the family’s words. I’m embedding the video – there’s a transcript available so you can hear and read their words. Persia’s mother didn’t stop there. She published a powerful affirmation of her daughter on Facebook, the words every trans person deserves to hear from their parent. I’m reprinting them here. I hope every family with a trans loved one will take this to heart and say the things that must be said before it is too late. Most people may not know this, but I am the proud mother of a beautiful transgender daughter, Persia Amarra Conway. A few days ago, my world changed forever. A monster in Houston, Texas, took my baby’s life. Persia was not just my daughter. She was a light. She was a force. She was the kind of person who could walk into a room and leave it brighter than she found it. To know her was to love her.She was kind-hearted, funny, ambitious, intelligent, fearless, and absolutely beautiful. No beautiful isn’t a strong enough word. Persia was breathtaking. She was strong-willed like her mama, determined to live life on her own terms, and she carried a spirit that could never be confined by anyone else’s expectations. She was someone’s sister. Someone’s best friend. Someone’s safe place. She was deeply loved by her family, her community, and everyone fortunate enough to experience her presence. As a mother, I keep asking myself questions that have no answers. How do I go on without hearing her voice? How do I accept a world that continues to turn when my own has stopped? How do I live with the unbearable reality that I could not protect my child? Because no matter how old she became, Persia would always be my baby.In my quiet moments, I can almost hear her telling me, “Mom, don’t cry. I love you. I’m still with you.”And while my heart is shattered into pieces, I hold on to those words. I hold on to her smile. I hold on to every memory, every laugh, every hug, and every “I love you.” Persia Amarra Conway was loved. Persia Amarra Conway mattered. Persia Amarra Conway deserved to grow old, to chase her dreams, and to live the beautiful life she envisioned for herself. To the transgender community, to our family, to friends, and to complete strangers who have reached out with prayers, love, support, and compassion, thank you. Your messages, calls, and kind words are carrying us through some of the darkest moments of our lives. My sweet girl, my little best friend, I promise I will speak your name. I will honor your life. I will carry your love with me until my last breath. Until we meet again, my angel. Forever your mother. Forever loving you. Forever missing you. Persia Amara Conway Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. I found a public post from Persia Amarra, something she shared during her transition. It is a sentiment, a support that everyone should experience when they move into their destined existence. My wish is that every trans person could have a family this fiercely devoted to their welfare. Context Persia Amarra is the twelfth trans person whose violent death has been reported in the US during 2026. I have no doubt there have been other violent deaths, they are just hidden for reasons I laid out earlier. Persia is the eight trans person of color, and the seventh Black transperson on this list for 2026. She is the seventh trans woman, the sixth trans woman of color and the fifth Black trans woman on our list. I share this context because we need to understand the different ways anti-trans violence manifests. There’s an intersection between racial justice and trans identity, as well as intersections between trans identity and violence. There is also class/economic intersections, health intersections, age, education, location, housing stability, and more. Persia did not die in a vacuum. The investigation into her death will also be subject to those intersections. Some names missing from my list. It is simply a matter of time, I try to stay current but I need some grace. I will get there. Persia Amarra is the third Black trans person killed in Texas this year. Earlier this week, I reported the murder of 25 year old Jade Roberts in Houston, Texas and the death of 21-year-old Paris Harris. Also, note in 2025, Rosa Martinez Machuca In 2024, we documented the deaths of Diamond Cherish Brigman, Dylan Gurley, and Vanity Williams. In 2023, Maria Jose Rivera Rivera, Unidentified Person, and LaKendra Andrews. 2022: Cypress Ramos, Paloma Velasquez, and Marisela Castro. In 2021, Aidelen Evans, Iris Santos, Tiffany Thomas, Iris Santos, Miss CoCo, Kier Laprice (Kartier) Solomon, Za’Niyah Williams, Rubi Dominguez, and Martina Caldera. In 2020, Helle Jae O’Regan, Asia Jynaé Foster, and Chae’Meshia Simms. And 2019, Tracy Single, Muhlaysia Booker, Chynal Lindsey and Itali Marlowe, In 2018, Nikki Janelle Enriquez and Karla Patricia Pavon-Flores, Then, 2017 Kenne McFadden, Gwynevere River Song, Stephanie Montez, and Brandi Seals. And in 2016, Monica Loera, Veronica Cano, Shante Thompson, Erykah Tijerina, 38 violent death reported in a decade. As is the racial discrepancy in the media coverage. That’s always been the case historically, but it is even more noticeable now. Out of 38 deaths reported in Texas, only three were white. That doesn’t mean white trans folx are not in great jeopardy in our nation right now, it simply means they aren’t in jeopardy for being white. Persia Amarra walked in our world and should be celebrated. Law enforcement should find the person who did this to her, certainly because they could still present a threat to other people. This wasn’t an accident. There are hundreds of explanations and we are counting on a Texas law enforcement department to chase down each of them. Rest in power, Persia. You will be remembered for how you lived because you have so many people who want to make sure that happens. You do deserve dignity in death along with justice and peace. Your family is showing up the way each family should, in life and death. I hope all of you can find some comfort in that. And I very much hope the souls of your ancestors and trancestors kept you company in your final moments. May your memory be a revolution. Deaths reported in 2026 These individuals are part of the trans community including transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and gender creative folx. Please do not share this content without attribution. Thank you Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-Mccray – Petersburg, Virginia. March 13, 2026. Age 42. Davonta Curtis – Chicago, Illinois. April 5, 2026. Age 32. Dannielle Spillman – San Francisco, California. April 16, 2026. Age 74. Aleanna Royal Belcher – Binghamton, New York. April 17, 2026. Age 31. Lucas Redbeard Knapp – Candy Kitchen, Cibola County, New Mexico, April 18, 2026. Age 39. Hailey Singleton – Dunnellton, Florida, May 5, 2026. Age 29. Lanessa Rodriguez – Ft Pierce, Florida, April 28, 2026. Age 35. Jade Roberts – Houston, Texas, January 2, 2026. Age 25. Paris Harris – Dallas, Texas, April 17, 2026. Age 21. Eryka Caldwell – New York, New York, May 17, 2026. Age 41. Nathaniel Potts – Eldorado, Illinois, May 20, 2026. Age 16. Persia Amarra Conway – Houston, Texas. Date unconfirmed. Found on May 26, 2026. Age 33. Other Deaths We are following these cases, but cannot confirm the details right now. Daniella Analee Escobedo – Las Vegas, Nevada (unconfirmed), April 12, 2026. Age 34.

Persia Amarra Conway Candlelight Vigil

Persia Amarra Conway’s loved ones and members of Houston’s LGBTQ community gathered at the Montrose Center to honor her life, mourn her loss, and call for greater care and protection for transgender women, especially trans women of color.