Police, family seeking answers in slaying of Miami transgender woman

MIAMI — Police in South Florida are searching for clues in what they say is the “violent and vicious” death of a 45-year-old transgender woman.

The body of Alexus Braxton was found Feb. 4 inside her condominium at the Carmel at the California Condominiums, Miami-Dade police Detective Juan Segovia said in a video posted on Twitter.

“The family was left with no closure, and they’re suffering tremendously because of the death and the manner in which our victim was murdered,” Segovia said.

Police said Braxton’s mother and sister were concerned and went to the home to check on her. They called authorities because they felt something was suspicious. The officer found Braxton’s body.

“Lord have mercy, I never, ever thought it would happen,” Braxton’s mother, Joenita, told NBC6.

Police want to talk to a person spotted on surveillance video who may have information about Braxton’s death. Police released little additional information, saying it would jeopardize the investigation, they told GayCityNews.com.

Braxton, who went by Kimmy Icon Braxton on her Facebook page, said in her profile there, “I’m A Trans Living My Truth.” She listed her occupation as hairstylist.

Her death is at least the sixth violent death of a transgender person in 2021, according to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.

“The rate of violence against Black transgender women so far this year is devastating,” the campaign’s Tori Cooper said on its website. “We must speak up and speak out. While we continue to affirm that Black Trans Lives Matter, everyone must take action to end the violence against our community.”