A murder in North Adams, Massachusetts last week was the first reported homicide of a transgender person in the country in 2018.
Police say Christa Leigh Steele-Knudslien, the founder of the Miss Trans America pageant, was found dead in her North Adams home Friday.
Her husband, Mark Steele-Knudslien, was arraigned Monday for allegedly stabbing and bludgeoning her to death. A vigil was held Monday in her honor.
It’s the first alleged domestic violence-related death in Massachusetts in 2018.
Domestic violence programs statewide are renewing calls for increased services and policies that help transgender people.
