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Ana Paula Costas, a 43-year-old transgender woman, died Saturday afternoon after 12 days in critical condition following an attack. She was returning home to the Alto Comedero neighborhood of San Salvador, the capital of Jujuy province, when she was struck in the head with a blunt object. Her family and the LGBTQ+ community are demanding justice for this hate crime and have called for a demonstration today at the provincial legislature.

So far, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident, which remains under investigation. The only information available about the attack comes from what the victim herself told one of her nieces upon arriving at Pablo Soria Hospital. Yesica, Ana Paula's niece, recounted: "A car stopped and some men attacked her from behind." This has led to the suspicion that there may have been more than one assailant.

They are asking for witness cooperation.

Both his family and LGBTIQ+ organizations are asking for the collaboration of people who may have witnessed the attack to provide information that will help identify the perpetrator(s).

The hate crime occurred in the early morning of August 27th, when Ana Paula was walking home and was ambushed by men who beat her with a blunt object and left her for dead. Between 1:00 and 1:30 a.m., Ana Paula was found by the police. Approximately an hour later, the police called her mother, with whom she lived. They informed her that they had found her daughter near the Penitentiary, lying on Forestal Avenue, with a head injury and in serious condition.

At 4:00 a.m. that same morning, Ana Paula was transferred to another hospital, Pablo Soria, where she underwent surgery in an attempt to save her life, her niece recounted. The medical report stated that she suffered a “cerebral contusion. She has a brain injury, delicate injuries; a CT scan was performed, but it did not yield good results, with a guarded prognosis.” She remained in this desperate condition for twelve days, fighting for her life while her classmates held prayer vigils and appealed for witnesses on social media. She died on Saturday.

Large banner in front of the Jujuy Legislature

On social media, Ana Paula was sadly mourned. “She had a very difficult life, she was forced onto the streets at a very young age, and the insecurity and prostitution continue to kill us. Society's indifference led Ana Paula to choose prostitution as a way of life,” they remembered her. “She participated in the activities we organized. She was very well-known in the community; she was queen of the community 10 years ago, and she was supportive of others.”

“We hope they will provide us with information from the security cameras and that an investigation will be carried out,” said Andrea Alarcón, a representative of Damas de Hierro de San Salvador. “It’s a transphobic murder, a hate crime,” asserted Johana Cussi of Diversidad Evita. She added that they will demand justice until the perpetrator(s) are found.

The Iron Ladies Foundation called on the LGBT+ community of the province, along with family, friends, and anyone else who wanted to join, to hold a demonstration on Monday, September 9th at 10:00 AM. They spent the morning on the steps of the Provincial Legislature. "She was the joy of the house, my mother's companion. We demand justice. If anyone knows anything, we ask them to come forward," said her sister. Representatives Natalia Morales (Left Front), María Uriondo (Justicialist Party), and Patricia Armella (president of the Gender Commission, Justicialist Party) were also present to advocate for the trans community and support their demand for justice.