Stacey Lee Blahnik, also identified in police reports as Michael Lee, was a 31-year-old Black transgender woman from Philadelphia who was found dead in her Point Breeze home on Monday, October 11, 2010. Known in the city’s ballroom and LGBTQ community as Mother Stacey Blahnik, she was described by those who knew her as beautiful, friendly, quiet, and deeply connected to others.

Her body was discovered that night in a second-floor rear bedroom of the house she shared with her boyfriend on the 1800 block of Manton Street. Early reports said she was found partially dressed and face down; police later determined her death was a homicide by strangulation and asphyxiation. Detectives reported no obvious signs of forced entry, and her boyfriend, Malik Moorer, who found her and called 911, was publicly not considered a suspect and cooperated with investigators.

Detectives looked for a motive but said they did not have enough evidence to classify the killing as a hate crime. Neighbors told police they had seen men coming and going from the house when the boyfriend was away, including people arriving in expensive cars, but no one has been publicly identified as a suspect. No arrest or charges have been reported and the case remains unsolved.

If anyone knew Stacey, her acquaintances, or saw activity at the Manton Street house around October 11, 2010, please contact Philadelphia police with information.