Cathalina Christina James, a 24-year-old transgender woman from Bishopville, South Carolina, was shot to death on June 24, 2018, in a Jacksonville, Florida, hotel. Her killing was the third homicide of a transgender woman in Jacksonville within three months, a cluster that raised alarms among local and national LGBTQ+ advocates who worried the deaths might be linked or reflect targeted violence.

Cathalina was remembered by family as outgoing and bold; her father, Donald James, said she loved people and sought acceptance for everyone. Equality Florida and other groups publicly urged a thorough investigation, while advocates criticized the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for repeatedly misgendering the victims, a practice family members said disrespected the deceased and hindered the investigations.

No arrests or suspects had been identified by then. Family members held vigils and memorials and described ongoing pain and sleepless nights while seeking answers and accountability. Did anyone in Jacksonville or Bishopville have information about Cathalina’s last days or who might have wanted to harm her?