Transfemicide in Guatemala: Wicha was shaved and mutilated

Luisa Sandoval Lemus was a 24-year-old trans girl who had disappeared on February 27.

March 10, 2020

By Pilar Salazar

Luisa Sandoval Lemus was a 24-year-old trans woman who lived in the village of Entre Ríos, in the department of Izabal, in the municipality of Puerto Barrios, 287 kilometers from Guatemala City. She disappeared on Thursday, February 27. Neighbors found her dead on March 2. Her body showed signs of torture and genital mutilation, according to Brandy, a health promoter who visited her regularly to offer medical services and comprehensive sexuality education (CSE).

"Wicha was a humble and quiet person. He was of limited means and had no other option but to work in a bar near the town," Brandy told Presentes.

"At the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office, we are aware of the situation and will be following up on the investigation in the coming weeks," Henry España, a defender of sexual diversity at the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office, told Presentes.

For its part, the organization Otrans Reinas de la Noches (Otrans Queens of the Night) spoke out on its social media about the hate crime:

“The Queens of the Night condemn the vile murder of Luisa “Love” Sandoval Lemus. Our “Wicha”, a member of the Izabal Trans Collective, disappeared on Thursday, February 27, 2020, and was found five days later, on Tuesday, March 2, in deplorable conditions and with signs of savagery on her body.”

“We send our condolences to her friends, acquaintances, and family, and we demand swift justice from the authorities for Wicha and all murdered trans women.” #OurHeartAches #RestInPeace

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