'The Beyoncé of our city.' Friends mourn Laura Schueler as police investigate her death
Schueler's death is part of a larger trend of violence agains trans and gender-nonconforming Americans that has between 12 and 59 people killed every year since 2013.
Last year, the majority of trans people killed in the United States were Black transgender women, according to data from the Human Rights Campaign.
Jonathan Cunningham, the public information officer for the Cincinnati Police Department, said that police are investigating but have not yet made an arrest in connection with Schueler's death. When asked whether it would be investigated as a hate crime, Cunningham said the investigation was too early to address motive.
'I'm just heartbroken," said De'Whitney "Tiger" Hankins, Schueler's close friend of over 30 years, during an interview.
'She was one of a kind.'
Facebook posts and conversations with friends reveal a vibrant member of Cincinnati's queer community who was beloved for her style and generosity.
'Laura was the Beyoncé of our city," said Tyson Carter, another close friend. "She knew how to dress. She was respected. You put out the red carpet when you see Miss Laura.'
Carter said he regarded Schueler as an older sister and recalled how she'd call to check on him every day when she knew he was struggling with his mental health.
'She kept me under her wing,' said Carter. 'She was there for me, no matter what.'
Schueler loved spending time in nature as much as she loved fashion, said Hankins. She was fiercely loyal to her friends, often taking on their issues as her own.
'She would be like, 'Hold on, I'm on my way,'" remembered Carter. "'Whatever happened to you, I'm on my way.''
At least 365 trans and gender non-conforming people in the United States have been killed in the past 12 years, according to data collected by the Human Rights Campaign, though the true number is likely to be higher due to underreporting.
Black trans women take the brunt of the violence: 75% of identified victims between 2013 and 2023 were trans women of color, and 62% of all known victims were Black trans women.
Violence is the main reason behind the high death rate of trans Americans of color, said Karen Harmon, a member of the Greater Cincinnati Human Rights Campaign's board of governors, among others.
"They're murdered at an extremely high rate, or they're left without employment or housing," said Harmon.
She also pointed to discriminatory policies from the state and federal government as a reason why the lives of trans people have become "extremely difficult."
"Especially now in this climate, people need to know her name," Harmon said. "They need to hear her story."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'The Beyonce of our city.' Friends mourn Laura Schueler
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