Police and media outlets deadnamed and misgendered North Carolina trans murder victim
Research by HRC finds that three-quarters of trans or nonbinary crime victims are often misgendered.
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Jenna Franks – Photo: Facebook.
Police and multiple media outlets in North Carolina repeatedly “deadnamed” and misgendered a North Carolina transgender woman who was murdered last month, prompting national LGBTQ advocacy groups to call them out for insensitivity towards the transgender community.
The body of Jacksonville, N.C. resident Jenna Franks, 34, a transgender woman who was active with the Onslow County LGBTQ+ Community Center, was found by city workers who had been assigned to clear a ditch in Central Jacksonville and saw the body in a wooded area, adjacent to a creek and a local bike path.
HRC is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jenna Franks, a 34-year-old white transgender woman who was killed in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in February. Her body was discovered on February 24.
Jenna Franks Purposely Deadnamed by Police After Being Killed
She is the ninth trans person believe to be violently killed in 2021. March 05 2021 8:02 AM EST
Investigators in Jacksonville, North Carolina, announced yesterday they now believe a trans woman whose lifeless body was found last month was murdered, but police and local media continue to use the victim’s deadname in public records. The body of Jenna Franks, 34, was found by city workers February 24th in a wooded area adjacent to a ditch they were clearing. GLAAD and friends of Franks called out the Jacksonville Police Department and local media for repeatedly misgendering her in death. Franks is the 9th known transgender victim of violence so far this year in the United States.
More information found over the last seven days has turned an investigation of a body found in Jacksonville into a homicide investigation.
Officials with the Jacksonville Police Department say at approximately 1:20 p.m. on Wednesday officers responded to a call to check on a person in the area of Ellis Boulevard and White Street. Jacksonville City Streets Division personnel were clearing the ditch area when they saw a body located in the wooded area adjacent to a creek.
The workers led officers to the body of Jenna Franks, a transgender woman from Jacksonville. JPD explained the information about the investigation was initially withheld until Franks family members could be notified.
The Daily News
Editor s note: The victim s name in this story has been corrected to reflect her authentic identity.
More information found over the last seven days has turned an investigation of a body found in Jacksonville into a homicide investigation.
Officials with the Jacksonville Police Department say at approximately 1:20 p.m. on Wednesday officers responded to a call to check on a person in the area of Ellis Boulevard and White Street. Jacksonville City Streets Division personnel were clearing the ditch area when they saw a body located in the wooded area adjacent to a creek.
The workers led officers to the body of Jenna Franks, a transgender woman from Jacksonville. JPD explained the information about the investigation was initially withheld until Frank s family members could be notified.