The case of Elijah Cruz Segura and Natalia Smut is a tragic one. A transgender woman from Puerto Rico, Smut was stabbed multiple times by the Afro-Puerto Rican man. The victim, a 24-year-old transgender woman, died in the hospital. The killer was arrested after a call by a bystander reporting Smut’s throat injury.
natalia santos
Natalia Smut was a transgender woman who was murdered in Milpitas, California, last month. She was described as a firecracker with fierce looks and an infectious personality. She struggled to find an affordable apartment in her hometown, even though she had been living there since she was two. While her boyfriend called 911 to report her injuries, the transgender woman died in the hospital. Natalia was a drag queen and dancer, who enjoyed performing at San Jose gay bars.
Natalia Smut, a transgender woman of Puerto Rican descent and a beloved drag artist in Milpitas, was killed in a violent attack by a transphobic man on January 19. The suspect, Elijah Cruz Segura, has pleaded not guilty to her murder, which is a felony. Natalia Smut was the 16th person to be killed by anti-transphobic crimes in the U.S. this year.
The killer, a transphobic, has been arrested in the fatal stabbing of Smut in Milpitas. The suspect, Elijah Cruz Segura, was arrested at the scene. He remains in custody. It is unclear whether he will face trial. A judge will make a decision on the charges against him on Thursday. The Human Rights Campaign has condemned such violence. It is unclear whether Cruz will face trial.
The South Bay transgender community was devastated by the death of Smut. The tragic death was a stark reminder of the importance of transgender advocacy. Unlike their cis counterparts, transgender individuals have a harder time escaping domestic violence and abuse. In fact, transgender individuals are six times as likely to face violent attacks than their cis peers. There is no way to make up for the loss of Smut.
Last month, the San Jose City Council adjourned in honor of Smut. During the council’s May 7-13 meeting, the tower and rotunda of City Hall will be lit pink and blue. These lights will be lit in honor of Smut, who advocated for Black trans people. A candlelight vigil is planned at City Hall and in the rotunda of San Jose.
The victim was stabbed to death by her boyfriend, Elijah Cruz Segura, who lived nearby in Union City. Segura, who was dating Smut, was arrested on the scene and was arraigned on murder charges, as well as other charges. He did not enter a plea at the court appearance. The case remains under investigation. It is unclear whether Segura will be convicted. A preliminary indictment will likely be issued this week.
Prosecutors in Santa Clara County have not said why Segura killed Smut, but they have indicated that the incident was domestic violence. Studies show that transgender people experience higher rates of intimate partner violence than cisgender people. Furthermore, transgender people experience sexual violence 2.5 times as often as cisgender individuals. So, it is no surprise that Smut accepted abuse wherever she could.
