I could never figure out that whole tranny prostitution thing, but then, I guess there are guys like Eddie Murphy who like them. Anyway, sad all the way around.

It's just soul-crushing to continue to read these articles. So sad for this young woman and the family and friends she leaves behind. Heaven just got a little prettier.

Absolutely horrible.

I'm from North Carolina, and this breaks my heart.

@Hardmannyc you don't get the whole "tranny prostitution" thing because you're too busy making jokes about it rather than spending time trying to understand the reasons why they turn to it. Also, there are perfectly normal people who like to have sex with trans people, believe it or not.

@hardmannyc: There are lots of professedly straight men who like sex with trans people, prostitutes or not. The fact that trans people are forced into prostitution by hateful or simply uninformed employers makes it more frequently the former, I think.

A teacher of mine once told me that there are statistics which suggest the in most encounters between trans prostitutes and men, the trans person is the top…. wish I had a source for that, but it's interesting to think about the dynamics and identities of the johns in these situations…

/slightly off topic commentary

Also, just to update this:

There is no factual evidence to suggest that Jimmy presented as female. In fact, all reports have shown that he performed as a drag queen, and presented in his daily life as a male.

Not that that makes much of a difference to most, but I imagine to the trans individuals out there, it's important to clarify the distinctions, since the media so rarely does.

So sad, and, a hate crime is a possibility, but, I would assume that NC does have it on the books if the killer is caught.

As for trany's, while I don't understand it myself, they deserve to be treated with dignity like everyone else, and, most of the folks they have sex with say they are 'straight' and are some of the biggest homophobes out there from most accounts for some odd reason.

I am a transwoman, but I'm not going to try in a few sentences to get you to understand us. But, what crime have we committed? To often in most states, we can be fired or not hired solely because we present ourselves as the gender we were not physically born into. Why? Why the discrimination? That is what forces many to go into prostitution. I have a masters degree, but I'm looked down upon. Why? Why are we such a threat to men that they feel they must attack us and many times kill us? What have we done to you? NOTHING!. That is why we need an ENDA law (end discrimination in employment) and be included in the hate crime laws. We have done nothing wrong and yet so many are victims. We have so much to offer, just as other people. Why not just treat us as we present? I'm a woman, treat me as a normal woman. A transman is a male. Treat him as just another male. Is that so hard?

here here katherine…God bless you…such a sad story. i hate knowing that my lgbt community has come so far, and then suffers a loss such as this. no matter what Imaje Devera identified as or no matter how Imaje decided to live life daily, the homocide of someone in our community should not be taken lightly.

to hardmannyc…your chosen name must be very reflective of how your soul is. i too, am from nyc…and although its a rough and tumble city, i make it a point to find ways to give back, to see the beauty in things and to make sure daily events don't harden my heart or soul and don't narrow my focus or my mind. here's hoping you find it in your heart to try it sometime.