Houston police have arrested and charged a suspect in the killing of 33-year-old transgender woman Persia Amarra Conway, bringing a significant development in a case that has deeply affected Houston’s LGBTQ+ community and sparked calls for justice across Texas.
Authorities announced this week that 22-year-old Daniel Arnulfo Ceron has been charged with murder in connection with Conway’s death. Conway’s body was discovered on May 25 in a stormwater catch basin near Brays Bayou in southwest Houston after a passerby alerted authorities. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Houston police, investigators identified Ceron as a person of interest during the homicide investigation. The breakthrough came after Ceron was arrested by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office in connection with unrelated burglary cases. Once investigators learned he was being held in custody, Houston homicide detectives interviewed him regarding Conway’s death. Police say Ceron confessed to his role in the killing during that interview.
Court documents cited by multiple media outlets allege that Ceron admitted to beating Conway to death with his hands. Investigators also reportedly obtained surveillance footage showing him discarding items connected to Conway, including her cellphone, acrylic nails, and slippers. An autopsy determined Conway died from multiple blunt force injuries.
The arrest comes after weeks of public pressure from Conway’s family, friends, and local LGBTQ+ advocates. On June 2, community members gathered at a vigil organized in her honor, remembering Conway’s life while urging anyone with information to assist investigators. Organizers said the event was intended both to celebrate her life and keep attention focused on the ongoing investigation.
Conway’s mother, Michelle Simmons, became one of the most visible voices demanding accountability. According to reports, she had previously received photographs and video evidence allegedly showing Ceron confessing to the crime and immediately turned that information over to law enforcement. Following the arrest, Simmons continued to advocate for justice for her daughter while thanking supporters who helped keep public attention on the case.
Community members have described Conway as intelligent, joyful, ambitious, and deeply loved. Her death reignited concerns about violence targeting transgender women, particularly transgender women of color, who continue to face disproportionately high rates of violence across the United States. Advocates say arrests are important, but accountability and justice must ultimately be determined through the court system.
Ceron remains in custody in Harris County. Prosecutors have sought a $500,000 bond, while additional court records indicate efforts to impose strict conditions should he be released. The investigation remains ongoing as Houston police continue gathering evidence related to Conway’s death.
