Sisters say murder victim was transgender, fear incident was a hate crime
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — Police identified the person whose body was found in southcentral El Paso Monday.
Police said 36-year-old Eric Tijerina’s body was discovered inside an apartment after a witness flagged down an officer at the Rio Grande Apartments on 212 Lisbon Street.
Family members told KFOX14 Tijerina is a transgender woman whom they call Erykah.
An officer entered the apartment and discovered obvious signs of foul play.
Police began their homicide investigation around 8:25 p.m. Monday and remained at the scene through Tuesday night.
“Yesterday [Monday] we saw an ambulance and the police department was here. They put up all these ribbons and they wouldn't let us go anywhere, not even drive off anymore until everything was a little bit more clear,” neighbor Ricardo Fierro.
Tijerina’s two sisters told KFOX14 that because their sister was transgender, they fear this was a hate crime.
Police have not released any other information about the Tijerina’s death and her sisters say they don’t know much either.
“We’re still in shock about it. It was unexpected,” Pearl Tijerina said.
The sisters say Tijerina was funny, giving and unapologetic about the person she was.
“She’s the one that told me to stay strong and not care,” Pearl Tijerina said.
Photos taken at the scene show the Police Department’s mobile command unit and yellow and red crime-scene tape blocking off the back area of one of the apartment’s units.
The apartments are owned by the Housing Authority of the city El Paso.
Fierro said neighbors are wondering what could have happened.
“I did not see anything or hear any noise,” Fierro said.
Tijerina’s sisters said the family is left with a lot of questions.
“Why would an individual want to leave her dead like that, knowing he was dressed as a woman when it happened,” Tijerina’s sister Melissa Silva said.
Police have not confirmed that this is a hate crime.
“My condolences to the family. Nobody deserves to pay a price like that. That is not human,” said Fierro.
The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with funeral costs.
