On July 23, 2024, the transgender community suffered another devastating loss when Dylan Gurley, a 20-year-old transgender woman, was brutally murdered in Denton, Texas. The circumstances surrounding her death are horrifying as well as heartbreaking, casting a long shadow over the ongoing violence transgender people experience in the United States.
A Life Taken Too Soon
Dylan Gurley was found unresponsive in a home on Holland Lane in Denton late that night. When officers arrived at the scene around 11:10 p.m., they were met with a grim reality. Dylan had sustained severe injuries, including blunt and sharp force trauma, coupled with strangulation. She was rushed to Medical City Denton, but tragically, she was pronounced dead about 40 minutes later. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner later confirmed that her death was a homicide, ruling that Dylan had suffered “blunt and sharp force injuries with strangulation.”
Her death, which initially went underreported, came to light on July 30 when police publicly identified her and confirmed that they were treating the case as a homicide. Dylan, who had been experiencing homelessness at the time of her death, had been staying in an abandoned home, a situation that, according to advocates, made her even more vulnerable to the violence that eventually claimed her life.
The Struggles of Homelessness and Violence
Dylan’s tragic death is not an isolated incident; it is part of a broader, more disturbing trend. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Dylan is at least the fifth transgender person to be murdered this year while experiencing homelessness. The link between homelessness and increased vulnerability to violence is stark, and Dylan’s death underscores the urgent need for greater protections for transgender individuals, particularly those who are unhoused.
Tori Cooper, the Director of Community Engagement for HRC’s Transgender Justice Initiative, highlighted this alarming pattern in a statement: “Studies show that 30 percent of transgender individuals have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives, which further endangers them and puts them in the path of fatal violence. Dylan deserved safety while she was alive, and now she deserves justice.”
A Mother’s Grief
Dylan’s mother, Erin Mendiola, spoke with profound sadness about her daughter’s life and the senselessness of her death. Mendiola recounted how Dylan had grown up in Little Elm, Texas, and how she had gradually embraced her true identity as a transgender woman. “We have watched her change from an uncomfortable kid to herself,” Mendiola shared. Dylan’s journey, like that of many transgender individuals, was one of self-discovery and acceptance, a journey tragically cut short by violence.
In the weeks following Dylan’s death, Mendiola has grappled with a lack of answers and accountability. The Denton Police Department has yet to make any arrests or identify a suspect in the case, leaving Dylan’s family in a painful limbo. “It’s just senseless, the rage behind it, and the anger behind it,” Mendiola said, reflecting on the brutality of her daughter’s murder. “I just wish that things could be different, that she would have a chance to live her life.”
Misgendering and the Fight for Recognition
Adding to the family’s grief is the issue of misgendering, which has unfortunately marred some of the coverage of Dylan’s death. Misgendering is a common and deeply hurtful issue that transgender individuals and their loved ones face, especially in death. The Human Rights Campaign pointed out that Dylan was misgendered in some media reports and a medical examiner’s document, further compounding the pain for those who knew and loved her.
Misgendering not only disrespects the identity of the deceased but also perpetuates the erasure of transgender lives and experiences. It is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles for recognition and respect that transgender individuals face, even in death.
Remembering Dylan: A Call for Justice
In the wake of Dylan’s death, her family has been working to honor her memory and ensure that her life is not forgotten. They have set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for a memorial service, which they hope will provide a measure of comfort and closure. “We are just trying to put the pieces back together as best as we can and appreciate any and all help,” wrote Dylan’s sister, Senica Ciarallo, on the GoFundMe page. The funds raised will go toward a memorial service and items such as urns, bracelets, and necklaces to hold Dylan’s ashes.
The memorial service is scheduled to be held at the Little Elm Rec Center on Saturday, August 17, a day before what would have been Dylan’s 21st birthday. The event will be a moment for Dylan’s family and friends to come together, not only to mourn her loss but also to celebrate the life she lived—a life that was filled with love, courage, and a fierce determination to be herself.
The Broader Context of Violence Against Transgender People
Dylan’s death is the 23rd known case of fatal violence against a transgender person in the United States this year. Texas, tragically, leads the nation in such cases. Since the HRC began tracking these deaths in 2013, Dylan is the 36th transgender or gender-expansive person to be murdered in Texas. The overwhelming majority of these victims have been transgender women of color, a group that faces disproportionate levels of violence and discrimination.
The broader context of Dylan’s death is a grim reflection of the hostile environment that many transgender individuals continue to face. Despite progress in transgender rights and visibility, the violence against this community remains a persistent and deadly threat. Advocates like Tori Cooper are calling for systemic changes to address the root causes of this violence, including the intersection of homelessness, poverty, and transphobia.
A Call to Action
Dylan’s story is a painful reminder of the work that remains to be done to ensure the safety and dignity of transgender people. It is a call to action for communities, decision-makers, and allies to address the systemic problems that contribute to the violence transgender people experience, particularly those who are homeless.
As the investigation into Dylan’s death continues, her family and the transgender community at large are demanding justice. The Denton Police Department has urged anyone with information about the case to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in bringing those responsible to justice. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Denton County Crime Stoppers, providing a safe avenue for those who may have crucial information.
The Bottom Line
The loss of Dylan Gurley is a tragedy that resonates deeply within the transgender community. It is a stark reminder of the dangers that transgender individuals, particularly those experiencing homelessness, face on a daily basis. As we remember Dylan, we must also redouble our efforts to combat the violence that took her life and to create a world where every transgender person can live openly, safely, and authentically.
Dylan deserved better—better safety, better recognition, and better respect. In her memory, let us all work toward a future where stories like hers are no longer a devastating reality. The belief that every life is precious and that every person deserves to live without fear of violence simply for being who they are must drive the fight for justice, equality, and dignity for transgender people.
