Suspect apprehended for the grim slaying of a transgender individual in Colombia
A Cool, Informative Take on the Brutal Killing of Transgender Women in Colombia
The recent murder of a transgender woman named Sara Millerey, 32, on April 4, 2025, has sparked a wave of anger and concern across the country. The brutal incident unfolded in the municipality of Bello, northwest of Colombia, near Medellin. Her lifeless body, battered and broken, was discovered in a stream with broken limbs after being thrown into it. A distressing video of her drowning went viral on social media, but rescuing firefighters managed to save her before she passed away in the hospital.
President Gustavo Petro quickly reacted on social media, condemning the act as a "brutal crime" committed by backward mindsets trying to stamp out diversity. The principal suspect was swiftly apprehended by the authorities and is now facing charges of torture and aggravated homicide, potentially facing up to 70 years in prison according to the prosecutor's office.
The Ombudsman has voiced alarm over the increase in violence faced by the transgender community in Colombia. Tragically, at least 13 transgender women have lost their lives this year, and 31 in 2024. The independent body also reported a surge in violence against the LGBTQ+ population in the previous year, with 258 cases of such violence documented, a startling increase of 23% compared to 2023.
This rising tide of violence against transgender women is part of a broader, concerning trend of transphobic violence gripping Latin America. Colombia, unfortunately, ranks among the countries with the highest rates of transgender killings in the region. The lack of specific data from the earlier years makes it difficult to track the exact year-on-year increase, but the ongoing violence suggests a persistent and disturbing pattern.
Deep-seated societal prejudices, inadequate legal protections, and recent high-profile incidents are contributing to this issue. The transgender community in Colombia faces severe discrimination and violence, rooted in a lack of acceptance and understanding of gender identities. Existing laws for LGBTQ+ rights often go unenforced, leaving transgender individuals vulnerable to abuse and violence.
Cases like that of Sara Millerey serve as stark reminders of the depth of the problem. The transgender community faces urgent need for improved enforcement of existing laws, as well as greater societal empathy and understanding.
In 2025, the murder of transgender woman Sara Millerey marked a tragic event in Colombian history, highlighting the surge in violence against transgender women in the country. Despite a swift arrest and charges of aggravated homicide and torture, 13 transgender women have lost their lives this year alone, with 31 deaths in 2024, according to the Ombudsman.Crime-and-justice news outlets can report that this rise in transphobic violence is part of a broader trend in Latin America, with Colombia being among the nations with the highest rates of transgender killings. The problem is deeply rooted in societal prejudices, inadequate legal protections, and lax enforcement of LGBTQ+ rights, resulting in a culture of discrimination and violence faced by the transgender community in general-news stories.
