Keanna Mattel: 35-Year-Old Transgender Woman Killed In Detroit

Around 6 a.m. on December 7, 2018, police said that transgender activist Keanna Mattel, 35, was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound. A 46-year-old man was taken into custody.

Keanna Mattel, 35, was well-known among the ballroom scene in Detroit, Michigan. Mattel was also an activist for transgender rights and had talked extensively to the media about it.

Around 6 a.m. on December 7, 2018, police said that Mattel was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound. A 46-year-old man was taken into custody in connection with the slaying.

Mattel’s death came just two blocks from the site of another transgender murder, Amber Monroe, who was shot dead in August 2015.

Detroit police continue to investigate Mattel’s slaying, not ruling out any motives.

“It may be a case of self defense, possible robbery,” Detroit Police Department spokesman Dan Donakowski told INTO. “So the investigation continues.”

Mourners on Facebook said Mattel was one of a kind. “you had a good heart, always sweet to me and was definitely funny AF its really sad this happened to such a great person R.I.P,” one commenter said.