Representatives of the trans community mobilized yesterday in front of the Public Prosecutor's Office to demand justice for the murder of Pamela Tabares, who was shot five times and killed on Wednesday. The Province has requested to be a plaintiff in the case and is seeking witnesses to come forward to the Prosecutor's Office. [News updated 07/29/2017, 8:00 AM]

The demand for justice

Around 10 a.m. yesterday, members and leaders of the trans community in Rosario demonstrated in front of the Public Prosecutor's Office at 2278 Montevideo Street. They demanded that the justice system not let the murder of a trans woman go unpunished. They also demanded that the government strengthen public policies aimed at this vulnerable sector of society, which lacks access to formal employment and healthcare and is subjected to violence. From there, they marched to the funeral home where Pamela's wake was being held.

Friends of Pamela and leaders of the trans community in front of the Public Prosecutor's Office in Rosario. (Photo courtesy of El Ciudadano).

The expert reports

The autopsy results are not yet available, but it is known that the victim was murdered where the body was found, in the town of Pérez, in a sugarcane field area. “Six spent casings from a .380 caliber weapon, slightly smaller than a 9mm, were found at the scene, and the body shows no other signs of violence,” The judicial official said. He detailed that "the medical examiner from the Santa Fe Investigative Police (PDI) confirmed several gunshot wounds to the legs, one to the chest, and one that entered through the nose." Although the prosecutor estimated that the crime occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, July 26, it wasn't until noon that a 911 call alerted authorities to a body in the area, and the police arrived around 1 p.m. The next step, in addition to the autopsy, is to examine the clothing and the security camera footage from the entrance of the Truck Drivers' Union Campground, which, "while not very close to the crime scene, is the only visual record in the area," the prosecutor noted. Pamela Anabel Tabares, She was originally from the Casiano Casas area, north of the city of Rosario, and, according to her friend Michelle Mendoza, who spoke to Presentes, she was homeless and worked as a sex worker. "It's a very sad situation, full of helplessness and anger, because she had gone to the Municipality a while ago to ask for help and they didn't give it to her," she said.

[READ MORE: Transvesticide in Rosario: “Pamela Tabares always asked for help”]

"In the morgue they kept referring to her as 'male'"

Michelle Mendoza is a sex worker, a member of the Evita Movement, and an advisor to Rosario city councilman Eduardo Toniolli. She was the one who identified Pamela's body. "In addition to everything else," she said, " We had to endure the mistreatment from the morgue officials who constantly referred to her as 'male' even though we told them to refer to her as 'she,' violating her gender identity.«.

READ MORE: #Argentina: drastic increase in transphobic murders in 2016]

"We condemn sensationalism and violence"

Jackeline Romero, head of the Positive Diverse Network of Santa Fe, told Presents “Besides the terrible news, that we are talking about yet another death in our community, we are outraged by the horrific media coverage: they even showed the face of our murdered comrade. We have received calls and messages condemning the sensationalism and violence with which this case of transphobic murder is being treated,” said Jackeline.. He added that This is the first transphobic murder recorded in the province of Santa Fe this year..

READ MORE: Transvesticide, the latest link in the chain of daily violence against transvestites and trans people]

If you have any information that could help clarify Pamela's murder, please contact the Prosecutor's Office headed by Rafael Coria, Montevideo 2278, Rosario. ]]>