DETROIT (WWJ) – While the murder of a transgender woman in Detroit remains unsolved, prosecutors have charged another man in an unrelated murder of a transgender woman.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy is pleading for help in solving the murder of Hayden Davis, who was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds and wrapped in a blanket in late July. Her body was found near a vacant storefront off Fenkell on the city’s west side.
As investigators are searching for her killer, a Detroit man was charged Wednesday in a separate killing of a transgender woman over the weekend.
Deontae Antoine Close, 31, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of felony firearm for the alleged shooting, which happened around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27.
The prosecutor’s office says officers were called to the 2530 block of Manistique Street – near Vernor Highway and Chalmers Street on the city’s east side – where they found 33-year-old Dede Ricks of Ohio.
Officials say Ricks was found lying on the ground with gunshot wounds to her chest and back.
Ricks was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities allege Close pulled out a gun and shot Ricks, but a possible motive was not disclosed. Close was arrested later the same day.
He was arraigned on Tuesday and was given a $500,000/10% bond. If released, he will be required to wear a GPS tether and won’t be allowed to have weapons. He is scheduled to appear in court next month.
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At a press conference Wednesday, Prosecutor Kym Worthy said it is “beyond concerning” that there have been multiple murders of transgender people in Detroit.
Though the cases are not believed to be related, Worthy said officials “hope that this does not become a pattern.”
“While some protections for transgender citizens in Michigan are finally beginning to be recognized, their lives are still very much in danger,” Worthy said, per a press release.
The prosecutor’s office is collaborating with the Fair Michigan Justice Project, which assists Michigan law enforcement officers and prosecutors in solving serious crimes against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people.
FMJP President Alanna Maguire said the recent murders “show the danger this community faces.”
“Rather than being supported, we often hear people vilify the transgender community which fuels this kind of violence and hate,” Maguire said. “We are proud to work with Prosecutor Worthy’s office on these cases, and we hope to bring justice to the victims and their families,” Fair Michigan President Alanna Maguire said
Authorities have not released many details about the unsolved murder of Davis, but are asking anyone who may know something about the shooting to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP or the FMJP at 877-432-4764.
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