Family and friends of slain trans woman Erykah Tijerina have planned a public vigil to remember and celebrate her life this weekend.

The vigil is planned for Sunday, August 21st at 8 p.m. at Carolina Park, located at 563 N. Carolina. Those who attend are encouraged to bring flags, banners and candles. The vigil is open to the public.

Erykah Tijerina, 36, was found dead inside her South El Paso apartment on Monday, August 8. When EPPD was called to the scene, they noticed obvious signs of foul play and are currently investigating her death as a homicide. No arrests have been made in the case.

EPPD has not confirmed to NewsChannel 9 that Tijerina’s death is being investigated as a hate crime, however, her two sisters believe that her murder should be considered as such. They have expressed concern that she may have been targeted because she was transgender.

According to a local advocacy group, trans women of color face incredible levels of homicide in the U.S., and the number of trans women of color murdered has risen every year for the last several years. By comparison, 21 trans women were reported murdered in all of 2015, and 14 were reported in 2013. Erykah is the 18th trans person killed in the U.S. in 2016.

