CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Don’t miss our latest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Police arrested four men on suspicion of murder after finding a body they believe is that of a missing 17-year-old Northern California transgendered girl. Michael William Magidson, 27; Jaron Chase Nabors, 19; Paul Richard Merel Jr., 25; and his brother, Jose Antonio Merel, 24, all from the east San Francisco Bay suburb of Newark, were arrested Wednesday and were each being held on suspicion of homicide, Newark police lieutenant Tom Milner said. Investigators also were looking at adding hate-crime enhancements. The girl was last seen at a party in Newark on October 3, where she reportedly got into a heated argument and physical fight with several people, police said. "We're dealing with a number of people who could have helped, stepped in, prevented, or reported this," said Newark police lieutenant Lance Morrison. "None of them did." Police believe the teen was assaulted and killed in Newark. Morrison described it as a "haunting and gruesome situation." He refused to say how she was killed. Police found the body Wednesday in a shallow grave near Silver Fork Campground in Placerville, about 150 miles northeast of Newark. They were directed to the spot by a suspect a day earlier. Police said Friday that they are waiting for autopsy results before releasing the victim's identity. But Newark Unified School District superintendent Ken Sherer identified the teen as Eddie Araujo, a student who had been in the independent study program since eighth grade. Araujo would have been a senior this year but hadn't shown up at Crossroads High School this fall. The teenager had chosen to dress like a girl "for some time," Milner said. "We don't know if that's the prime factor in the altercation or if there were other factors involved, such as revenge. These things are all definitely in play."
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Don’t miss our latest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Virginia's Glenn Youngkin Pardons Man Involved in Altercation Over Trans Restroom Policy
September 11 2023 5:46 PM
​Kathy Kozachenko, First Out Elected Official in U.S., to be Honored in Michigan
September 11 2023 2:52 PM
Here's Why Coco Gauff Thanked Tennis Legend Billie Jean King After U.S. Open Win
September 11 2023 1:00 PM
Missouri Local GOP Chair Tried to Block Gay Pastor’s Library Board Reappointment
September 10 2023 9:52 PM