The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has identified a suspect in the killing of a Black transgender woman who was found “burned beyond recognition” in a car in Florida.
According to CBS News, the police are searching for Jamson Richemond, 29, in connection with the Sept. 4 murder of Bee Love Slater, although Richemond has not been charged in the death.
Slater’s death is being investigated as a possible hate crime, although no motive has yet been confirmed, the news site reports.
The 23-year-old’s body was discovered in an abandoned car, so badly burned that authorities had to use dental records to identify her.
Slater is one of 18 known transgender individuals who have been killed in a violent act this year in the United States, according to the civil rights organization, the Human Rights Campaign. Of the 18 known victims, 17, including Slater, were Black trans women.
Prior to identifying Richemond as a suspect, the authorities were looking into social media posts that Slater received prior to her death, which reportedly wished harm on the young woman.
According to NBC2, Richemond made a post on Facebook under the name “Foolio” Richemond saying, “Somebody need to kill B-Love.”
CBS notes that Richemond is also believed to be connected to the slaying of Jamal Hubert, 30, who was found dead in June, according to Hendry County Sheriff’s spokesperson Capt. Susan Harelle.
Authorities have not divulged why they think Richemond is involved in the cases. Richemond has also not been charged in Hubert’s death.