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Arrest Made in Death of Virginia Trans Woman Chae’Meshia Simms

Chae’Meshia Simms
Chae'Meshia Simms

Ryejon Lee was arrested on outstanding warrants for robbery and use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and additional charges are pending.

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An arrest has been made in connection with the killing of transgender woman Chae'Meshia Simms in Richmond, Va.

The U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Ryejon Lee Thursday "on outstanding warrants for robbery and use of a firearm in commission of a felony," Richmond TV station WTVR reports. Additional charges are pending.

Simms, who was in her 30s, was found dead in a car that had crashed into a garage November 23. She had suffered a single gunshot wound and was the only person in the car. Friends and family recalled her as a "good," "kind," and "caring" person, and they vowed to never stop looking for the person responsible for her death.

At least 41 transgender Americans have died by violence in 2020, making it the deadliest year since records have been kept. Most of the victims have been Black or Latinx women. There are likely many other deaths that have not been reported.

Richmond police ask that anyone with additional information regarding Simms's death call Major Crimes Detective M. Godwin at (804) 646-5533 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. Information can also be submitted via the P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones. Anyone who shares tips with Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous.

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Trudy Ring

Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.
Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.