ABOVE: Jenny De Leon, photo via the Tampa Police Dept.
TAMPA | The Tampa Police Department is seeking assistance in solving the murder of Jenny De Leon, a 25-year-old transgender woman who was found dead Nov. 2.
Officials opened a homicide investigation after finding De Leon in the 8500 block of 9th St. N. near Fairbanks Ave. in Tampa that morning. De Leon, who was transient, frequented the Sulphur Springs area.
“Officers found a 25-year-old transient woman, known in the Sulphur Springs area as ‘Jenny,’ dead around 6 a.m. in the 8500 block of 9th Street last Tuesday,” the Tampa Police Department shared Nov. 8. “Detectives need tips to help bring the person or people responsible for her death to justice.
“If you know anything about Jenny’s death or have any information about suspicious circumstances in the early morning hours of November 2, 2021, please call Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay, Inc. at 1-800-873-8477,” they continued.
Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay echoed the department’s call for assistance. Anyone with information can anonymously contact the organization at 1-800-873-TIPS and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000 should the tip lead to an arrest:
De Leon had previously sought assistance from PFLAG Tampa, which has offered LGBTQ-affirming support, education and advocacy to those in need throughout Tampa Bay for more than a decade. She attended chapter meetings while beginning her transition.
“PFLAG Tampa is devastated to hear of the recent murder of Jenny De Leon,” the organization shared following the news. “Jenny, like many of the youth we encounter, attended our chapter meetings seeking support in the beginning of her transition, ultimately finding placement in a home through two PFLAG Tampa members. Jenny was an enigmatic, bright soul with enough energy to fill any room.
“We offer our deepest condolences to Jenny’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” they continued. They will honor her life at this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil, reflecting on all the lives lost in acts of anti-transgender violence this year.
De Leon’s family is seeking assistance to cover funeral expenses. PFLAG Tampa also shared their Facebook fundraiser, which is attempting to raise $13,000.
The family’s fundraiser advises that De Leon “was a wonderful person with a beautiful soul who touched the lives of those around her. We are all devastated by this deep heartfelt loss.”
It goes on to explain that they were “not prepared for the high cost of such a loss, and during this difficult time we are reaching out to the community for help. Please consider donating if you are able to do so. We are so very grateful for every donation during this difficult time; any amount is helpful.”
You can view PFLAG Tampa’s post, further thoughts from area LGBTQ advocate Lucas Wehle and the family’s fundraiser below. Watermark cautions some information includes De Leon’s dead name.
Equality Florida, the state’s largest LGBTQ-focused civil rights organization, also reacted to the news.
“Jenny is the 46th known transgender or nonbinary person killed this year, marking 2021 as the deadliest year on record for transgender Americans,” they shared. “This is a national epidemic – and Black and Latinx trans women continue to be disproportionately impacted by these fatal acts of violence.”
Jenny’s sister Iriss De Leon tells Watermark that “all this has been really hard on me,” noting that the siblings were best friends growing up.
“There are no words for what Jenny was to me,” she says. “I want justice for her.”
Anyone with information about De Leon’s death or suspicious circumstances in the early morning hours of Nov. 2, 2021 is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-8477 and reference Case #21-463329. The organization is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the unknown suspect(s) involved. Read more and learn how to anonymously share information here.
