Man Who Dated Houston Trans Woman Charged With Her Murder

Houston police have made an arrest in the murder of transgender woman Tracy Single, also known as Tracy Williams.

Joshua Dominic Bourgeois, 25, was arrested Friday and is charged with murder, the Houston Chronicle reports. Police said he had been dating Single, 22, whose body was found in a parking lot July 30. She had suffered lacerations and puncture wounds.

Her name wasn't made public until two weeks later, as the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office had to release a photo of her in order to get help from Houstonians, including the local transgender community, in identifying her.

Sixteen transgender Americans are known to have been murdered this year. All but one have been Black women. The lone exception was transgender man Jordan Cofer, who died in a mass shooting committed by his brother Connor Betts in Dayton, Ohio, August 4.

Constant reports of violence against our community are difficult to read, especially as we continue to face historic rates. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, you can reach out to the Anti-Violence Project's free bilingual (English/Spanish) national hotline at (212) 714-1141 or report online for support.

(RELATED: These Are the Trans People Killed in 2019)