A Milpitas man was convicted by a jury in the 2021 murder of a transgender drag performer, according to a news release from the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office.
The killing of drag performer Natalia Smüt Lopez, 24, of San Jose, sent shockwaves through the South Bay's LGBTQ community.
Elijah Cruz Segura, 25, was found guilty in what is believed to be the first prosecution of transgender domestic violence homicide in Santa Clara County's history, according to the district attorney's office. (Previous reports stated Segura's residence was Union City, but the DA's office identified him as being from Milpitas in its news release.)
Segura faces 16 years to life in prison, according to a statement from the Santa Clara County DA's office. He will be sentenced in January.
Prosecutors said that Segura had been dating Lopez and stabbed her to death the morning of April 23, 2021. Segura had called 911 around 2:30 a.m., and officers responding at a residence in Milpitas found Lopez with multiple stab wounds. Segura had visible blood on both of his hands and was arrested at the scene. Lopez was pronounced dead at a hospital.
"Domestic violence of all kinds hides in the shadows of our community," District Attorney Jeff Rosen stated. "We as a community will shine a light on it, fight against it, and work to help victims find empathy, safety, shelter, and justice."
Segura's attorney, Peter Johnson, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
A GoFundMe set up in 2021 for Lopez's family raised $14,566 of a $22,500 goal (there has not been a donation in two years).
The GoFundMe was organized by Lopez's friend, Kiara Ohlde, who didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
"Natalia was ... so young and so full of life! She was fabulous," the GoFundMe states.
"She would step into a room like a firework. Everywhere she went, she brought energy, fierce looks, and a personality that shined bright like a diamond. Her beautiful soul and presence is no longer here on earth with us anymore but she is forever in our hearts.
"If anyone can find it in their heart to donate to help support the family, we would appreciate it so much as this was so sudden. Honestly, anything helps. Thank you," the fundraising page states. "We love you Natalia [Smüt] Lopez and we will continue to seek justice for you until justice is served. All money goes directly to Natalia's older sister, Vanessa Singh."
Nathan Svoboda, a gay man who is president of the Project MORE Foundation that seeks to improve the lives of the South Bay's LGBTQ community through "cultural activities, outreach, education, and advocacy," according to its website, previously expressed his sorrow that Lopez died at such a young age.
"Natalia was a person full of life and seemed like a person starting to be her authentic self, who also was fairly talented and becoming quite the drag performer," Svoboda said back in 2021. "She didn't have the opportunity to showcase her talents at LGBTQ nightclubs, venues, and Pride events due to COVID, and so it's sad that others can't see the firecracker entertainer we had the opportunity to see in our community."
Lopez is featured on a mural at Splash Video Dance Bar, at the corner of Lightston Alley and Post Street, in San Jose's Qmunity District, the LGBTQ neighborhood in downtown San Jose.
Project MORE, the Qmunity District and Silicon Valley Pride also didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
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