Transgender Woman Stephanie Montez Found Dead in Texas

On October 21, authorities in Texas’ Nueces county found the body of 47-year-old Stephanie Montez shot to death on a county road, the Corpus Christi Caller-Times reports.

Nueces county medical examiner identified Montez under her birth name and her gender assigned at birth.

The Caller-Times spoke with Brittany Ramirez, a friend of Montez’s for 30 years. They met when Montez performed in drag.

We are heartbroken by the loss of #StephanieMontez, latest victim in the violence epidemic against trans women of color. pic.twitter.com/Ud4Dt5Va8Z

— CollectiveActionDC (@SafeSpacesDC) October 30, 2017

We are heartbroken by the loss of #StephanieMontez, latest victim in the violence epidemic against trans women of color. pic.twitter.com/Ud4Dt5Va8Z

— CollectiveActionDC (@SafeSpacesDC) October 30, 2017

“She just had a great outlook on life. She was very supportive of everyone,” Ramirez said. “She really enjoyed life. She was one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet.”

According to medical examiners, Montes had been shot in the chest, abdomen and shoulder.

Corpus Christi LGBTQ groups have organized a trans rights rally outside the Corpus Christi federal courthouse at 2 p.m. on Nov. 4.

Montez’s is reportedly the 22nd case of a transgender homicide in the United States this year after the September killing of Missouri teen Ally Lee Steinfeld.

Photography:Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto via Getty Images