Transwoman tragically slain in the Bronx

[maggiegee]

Slain transgendered neighbor 'a friend of whole building,' Bronx man says

BY BARRY PADDOCK, JESS WISLOSKI, and TINA MOORE
DAILY NEWS WRITERS

Monday, February 11th 2008, 4:00 AM
Talib (Sanesha) Stewart, a 6-foot transsexual, was found stabbed in Bronx building (inset) - allegedly by an ex-con who flew into a rage after finding out Stewart was not a woman.

Talib (Sanesha) Stewart was not your everyday sight in the Bronx - a 6-foot man in high heels and lipstick - but was accepted as family by those around the victim, loved ones said Sunday.

So they were shocked to learn that their 25-year-old transgendered neighbor was stabbed to death Saturday by an ex-con who told cops he flew into a rage when he found out his date was not a woman.

"Nesha was a friend of the whole building - a really nice person who didn't deserve that," downstairs neighbor Steven Bamberg, 45, said. "I called him 'her' out of respect."

Police responded to a dispute on Beaumont Ave. about 6 a.m. and found Stewart stabbed several times.

They arrested Steve McMillan, 37, who was still inside Stewart's apartment. He was waiting to be arraigned on a murder charge last night. Police sources said McMillan was a john who flew into a rage after discovering Stewart, a prostitute, was not a woman.

Bamberg, however, denied Stewart was a prostitute.

The statuesque Stewart had breast implants and other plastic surgery to look more like a woman, neighbors said.

McMillan was released from prison in November after serving eight years on a Westchester County drug conviction, state prison records show.

Bamberg said he heard his friend in distress about 5 a.m. and phoned 911.

"It was like a scream," he said. "Then I heard, 'Uhhhhhh,' softer and softer, her last breath."

When cops arrived, they knocked at Stewart's door repeatedly, Bamberg said. McMillan eventually answered, the neighbor said.

Bamberg said he saw police with guns drawn telling the suspect as they led him outside, "You know your friend upstairs is dead."

"You killed my friend!" Bamberg recalled screaming at McMillan before collapsing onto the curb and crying.

Stewart was well-loved since moving into the building three years ago, Bamberg said.

"We all accepted her," he said.

Bamberg said McMillan was at the house hours before the killing, claiming to have left something in Stewart's apartment.

He said cops removed the apartment door as evidence.

"There's a big pool of blood on the floor and all over the bed," Bamberg said. "It looks like a war zone."

A spokeswoman with the medical examiner's office said the fatal blows penetrated Stewart's throat and lung.

Stewart's grandmother, Evelyn Stewart, said she loved the victim.

"I've always been close to him," she said after identifying Stewart's body yesterday. "I didn't care what he was."

McMillan was charged with attempting to sell a controlled substance in 1999, records show. He recently returned to Yonkers and was living temporarily at a shelter, a friend, who identified himself as Ramel C., said.

Ramel C., 37, said McMillan had a girlfriend. He said his life-long friend must have been shocked to discover he was with a man.

"I'm not saying that's a reason to kill anyone," he said. "But I'm sure he was in some type of turmoil or shock."

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/amd_nesha_135.jpg

[maggiegee]

Posted: Sunday, 10 February 2008 5:44PM

Tranny Hooker Murdered by Shocked John /1628391

Report: Transgendered Prostitute Murdered by John


NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Police say they've made an arrest in the
stabbing death of a 25-year-old man at an apartment in the Bronx.

Police say the victim was found dead from multiple stab wounds on the
second floor of 2284 Beaumont Avenue in the Belmont section early
Saturday morning.

37-year old Steve McMillian of Yonkers was arrested and charged with
murder.

The Daily News says the victim was a transgendered prostitute and that
the suspect flew into a rage when he realized the alleged hooker was not
a woman.

The paper cites sources identifying the victim as 25-year old Talib
Stewart, who often went by the nicknames, Nesha or Sanesha.


From the New York Post

The Bronx

A Yonkers man was arrested yesterday for fatally stabbing a man
in an East Tremont apartment, police said.

Steve McMillian, 37, had argued with the 25-year-old victim in the
apartment, on Beaumont Avenue near East 183rd Street, at 5:45 a.m.

[maggiegee]

First and foremost, condolences to her family and friends,
and may she rest in peace.

Secondly here is my response letter to 1010 WINS

Here's the contact info:

http://www.1010wins.com/pages/2532.php

It's a tragedy when someone loses their life in such a senseless
and callous way.

Yet, even in death it appears as if courtesy and respect for the
departed are too much to ask for.

From your article, and the others from other news outlets, we see the
insensitive manner in which the transgendered are spoken of.

I understand that journalists must be impartial, objective, and report
the facts.

As such is the media able to state with certainty that she was a prostitute
and the she was murdered because of her gender.

Perhaps we should wait until the facts can be ascertained at trial.

Whatever the case may be, I would hope that there would be some
latitude for compassion and empathy for the victims.

[DeliaTS]

Thanks for posting that Maggie. May Shenesha rest in peace.

It drives me nuts when the media can't get their pronouns straight. Instead of taking the opportunity to educate people about transwomen they end up reinforcing some of the very attitudes that lead to this tragic death in the first place.

"Nesha was a friend of the whole building - a really nice person who didn't deserve that," downstairs neighbor Steven Bamberg, 45, said. "I called him 'her' out of respect."

[seanchai]

I saw this news yesterday and can now state without a doubt now that a photo has been shown and based on the fact we have a model with the same name, who is 25 and whose ID states she is from the Bronx, that this is a girl whose modelled for us many times, called Boots.

She originally contacted me from an ad we run in Transformation Magazine and we set her up for a shoot fairly fast and have worked with her a number of times since. All I can say, is that reports from Tony was that she was a great model, a nice girl, easy to work with, highly sexed and it's a great shame that her life was ended so short.

In a macabre co-incidence, I believe that we have a DVD of her coming out within the next two weeks. I'll see what we can do to direct some of the profits from that to am appropriate charity in NYC area as a tribute to her.

If anybody does have further information, admin@grooby.com or PM me here in confidence.

A great shame...

http://www.grooby.com/promo/boots1018.jpg
http://www.grooby.com/promo/boots5003.jpg

[maggiegee]

Thanks for posting that Maggie. May Shenesha rest in peace.

It drives me nuts when the media can't get their pronouns straight. Instead of taking the opportunity to educate people about transwomen they end up reinforcing some of the very attitudes that lead to this tragic death in the first place.

"Nesha was a friend of the whole building - a really nice person who didn't deserve that," downstairs neighbor Steven Bamberg, 45, said. "I called him 'her' out of respect."


My point exactly.

Her life was taken senselessly.

And now her name and memory is being besmirched
with tabloid journalism.

Then as you have pointed out this type of commnetary
re-inforces the concept of the 'gay panic defense' in
reference to the 'tranny hooker' who got what she
deserved for fooling men.

:mad:

[Mandy M]

This is so upsetting, every time it happens it is so upsetting. And everytime it happens the papers report it the same damn way. I'm just so fucking sick of it.

:-(

[Ecstatic]

RIP. Tragic, truly. Thanks for posting the info, and for your response to the news outlet. The first article seemed rather more sensitive than the second, but still reinforces stereotypes.

Seanchai, admirable that you'll seek an appropriate charity in her name for a percentage of the profits from the upcoming DVD.

I sent a message to 1010wins.com as well; not so eloquent as yours, Maggie, but trying to echo the same sentiments:

Thank you for printing the information regarding the tragic stabbing murder of 25-year old Talib Stewart, a/k/a, Nesha or Sanesha, on Feb. 11. It is a shame to see someone brutally murdered or assaulted based on their assumed gender; it is hardly Talib's fault that she was born a woman in a man's body (in Thailand, they call this "being born with a woman's heart in a man's body").

I am a bit dismayed that your article refers to Talib as a man and as a prostitute. Out of respect for the deceased, I would rather see her referred to by her chosen gender, a woman, and minus hard factual evidence, leave out the prostitute reference, but I understand that you are serving the news as objectively as possible.

[flabbybody]

mainstream media just doesn't get the pronoun thing. They hide behind the concept of reporting accuracy. Even in death, a victim of transphobic violence who lives her life as a female is referred to as HE and HIM.

[MystiquEvolution]

I get so highly upset when I see stories like this. What's sad is, he'll probably get a watered down sentence due to the "Transgendered Scare" defense. I'm not sure if that's been addressed or not. What's worse is the media and some of the neighbors comments. How disrespectful, especially in death to refer to her as male. It's just appauling.

May she rest in peace

[flabbybody]

very tastful pics seanchai. she was so pretty.

I doubt the media will continue to cover this story but it's important to stay informed. It's day 3 since the murder and I can't find any new info on 1010, or any place else. As the facts unfold, the DA needs to determine what charge is appropriate and the perp's lawyer will devise a defense. The result of the case could set a precedent as to how violence against transwomen is dealt with in New York City courts. If being '"fooled" is given any credence as a defense, it will be a very dark day for human rights.

googled this. if anyone has a better link for updated info, pls post.
http://bronxda.nyc.gov/frames.html (http://bronxda.nyc.gov/frames.html)

[Genaroz]

I am so outranged when the refer to the deceased as some sort of freak by calling them men who where lip stick and dress as woman.

Rita Hester was killed in November 1998 very similar circumstances and even the gay news papers referred to her as a man in drag. I find it so upsetting that many from the gay and lesbian life styles stand up for their rights but often treat Transgender people as outcast in the gay community.

Secondly most of these murders are deeper than they let on. I would bet that more often than not the murderer knows the gender of their victim but often doesn’t want anyone else to know. Its more feel than outrage that they were tricked.

[victoriajaye]

may she rest in peace.. it is sad... and maggie our response to 1010 seems very appropriate. I'd like to add that we all have a voice and can make an effort to help the media right.

I know I will.

[eric1234]

Can u keep me posted on the outcome of this case they should fry this
little punk for what he did, he did not know she was a man ha ha he is a
little "B" for what he did.:mad:

[MizzJune]

Hey Maggie, Sean, and the rest of the TgirlTalk community!-
It's been a LONG time since I've posted on here and it saddens me that I'm posting in a thread topic that is very macabre and depressing. Sanesha was a former client of the organization that I work for, and for those in the NYC area- there will be a candlelight vigil being held for her this saturday @ 1 at the Bronx Pride Community Center.
*please refer to flyer below*
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k290/foxxxyjune81/saneshavigil.jpg
I urge folks who are interested to come out and support. Sanesha's family members, friends,and community members (myself included) will be there.
Sean and any of you on here who're interested in doing so, please feel free to send any of your contributions, cards, and/or flowers, to the address listed in the flyer above.

[Charlie31]

It's too tragic that a young woman such as Sanesha was taken from us unnecessarily by ignorance.
My prayers are out to her family & hope the killer never see the light of day again.

[ready4tsgf]

i met her before she was cool we even hung out a few times and her being a ts girl is not something she would hide that punk knew and i hope his b***h azz get what he deserves. PS to seanchai nice pics she was just as pretty in person

[seanchai]

I'm sorry I didn't get to see this until today - I've been travelling - in future anybody who needs to get me (and I hope it's not as tragic as this circumstance) get me on admin@grooby.com as I would have certainly had ensured this was seen by more people than just this forum.
Thanks
seanchai