A transgender San Francisco woman who was killed last month will be mourned with funeral services and other events in the city later this week.
The family of the late Michelle Henry announced the schedule of events to mourn the 25-year-old, who'd been a participant in the San Francisco LGBT Community Center's youth program.
The first will be a gathering for close friends and family Friday, June 14, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Driscoll's Valencia Street Sierra Mortuary, at 1465 Valencia Street. Then, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 15, will be a funeral at the Episcopal Church of Saint John the Evangelist at 1661 15th Street.
After the funeral a repast will be held at the TransThrive Community Center, a program of the San Francisco Community Health Center, at 1460 Pine Street, from 3 to 6 p.m. Finally, a 21-and-older celebration of life will be held at Savoy Tivoli, at 1434 Grant Avenue, from 7 to 10 p.m., hosted by Winston "Neo" Henry, her uncle.
The Henry family didn't return a request for comment for this report by press time but did provide a statement.
"The family of Michelle Henry grieves her untimely death," the statement begins. "Michelle's passing shines a floodlight on the vulnerability of the trans community. Her family is committed to honoring her legacy of service in the LGBTQ+ community and in the trans community."
The statement continued by recalling what friends said at a May 21 vigil in the Mission district.
"We resonate with the statement made by her friends at Mother Bar, who said, 'The tapestry of who she was will continue to be woven through our words — written and spoken — for a lifetime.' There is a memorial funding setup which you can donate to, so that Michelle's generosity of spirit continues to bloom in the communities she served."
The GoFundMe where people can donate to the memorial services has raised $2,508 of a $5,000 goal as of press time.
"I am deeply saddened by this situation but this universe has its own ideas and I can only think it's for good reasoning," Winston "Neo" Henry stated in the GoFundMe's description. "With that being said, I am here and I will be laying this beautiful soul to rest."
Henry was killed May 15. David Serrano Sewell, the executive director of the city's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, told the B.A.R. that the death was classified as a homicide.
According to a news release issued by SFPD spokesperson Allison Maxie, at 1:44 p.m. that day police responded to a residence on the 700 block of Post Street after receiving a report there was a physical altercation between two people.
"When officers arrived, they located an adult victim lying on the ground suffering from multiple stab wounds. Officers rendered aid, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and summoned paramedics to the scene. Despite life-saving efforts by officers and paramedics, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene," the release stated.
"While on scene, officers detained a female suspect. Through the course of the investigation, officers developed probable cause to arrest 33-year-old Raymani Yuhashi from San Francisco."
Yuhashi was initially booked into San Francisco County Jail on the charge of the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought, according to SFPD. Yuhashi was later released and no charges have been filed.
The DA's office has not returned a request for an on-the-record statement. Previously, the DA's office stated it was continuing to investigate the case.
Authorities are not investigating the case as a hate crime. Last month, SFPD Public Information Officer Robert Rueca stated, "At this time we do not have evidence that this incident is hate related."
The community center declined to comment for this report. The San Francisco Community Health Center did not return a request for comment.
Never miss a story! Keep up to date on the latest news, arts, politics, entertainment, and nightlife.
Sign up for the Bay Area Reporter's free weekday email newsletter. You'll receive our newsletters and special offers from our community partners.
Support California's largest LGBTQ newsroom. Your one-time, monthly, or annual contribution advocates for LGBTQ communities. Amplify a trusted voice providing news, information, and cultural coverage to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay -- Donate today!