Cristela Guerra

cguerra@news-press.com

The church on Brown Street was full Wednesday morning. Yaz'Min Shancez was laid to rest. The 31-year-old transgender woman, whose legal name was Eddie James Owens, was found off Fowler St. shot and burned. Fort Myers Police Department's investigation is ongoing.

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The police report or any further details related to her death are not available at this point.

"At this time we are going to withhold the information due to the active homicide investigation," said Lt. Victor Medico, spokeswoman for Fort Myers Police Department.

The Center of Southwest Florida, a local advocacy group for the gay, lesbians, bisexual and transgender community, paid for the funeral contributing almost $4,000 from fundraisers held over the last few weeks.

"I sing because I'm happy. I sing because I'm free. His eye is on the sparrow," whispered Bessie Bivins at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. She struggled to get through her solo, choking back tears.

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The congregation filled in the gaps, standing and singing loudly in honor of Ms. T. She had a vast family, countless siblings, cousins and friends. The $400 leftover from donations will be used by The Center of Southwest toward a scholarship in Yaz'Min's name. It will eventually be used to benefit transgender individuals in need across Southwest Florida.

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