An arrest has been made in the homicide investigation of Marlow Trottie, a 35-year-old Black transgender woman whose death sparked an outpouring of grief from friends, family, and LGBTQ+ advocates across Louisiana and beyond.
The Alexandria Police Department announced on June 15 that 29-year-old Taylor Weatherspoon has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Trottie’s death. Authorities set bond at $1 million. Police have not publicly released a motive for the killing, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Trottie was found deceased on the morning of June 8 in the 2400 block of Cummins Street in Alexandria, Louisiana. Officers responded to reports of a body at approximately 7:30 a.m. and later ruled the case a homicide. The Alexandria Police Department identified the victim as Trottie and asked the public for information as investigators worked to piece together the circumstances surrounding her death.
News of Trottie’s death quickly spread through social media, where friends and loved ones remembered her as a kind, joyful person who could brighten any room. One former classmate described her as “the sweetest person I’ve ever met,” while others recalled her constant smile and ability to make people laugh.
Although some family members used masculine language when discussing her death publicly, Trottie consistently identified herself as female across multiple social media profiles. Photos and posts reviewed by journalists showed her presenting as a woman and embracing her identity openly. Advocates have emphasized the importance of respecting a person’s self-identification, especially after death.
Trottie attended Penn Foster High School and later studied at Louisiana State University Alexandria. Friends described her as resilient and optimistic despite life’s challenges. In one social media post highlighted after her death, she wrote that she would never change who she was simply to fit in.
Her death comes amid continued concerns about violence targeting transgender people in the United States. LGBTQ+ organizations have repeatedly called attention to the disproportionate rates of violence experienced by transgender women, particularly Black transgender women. Trottie’s death was reported by advocates as one of multiple known killings of transgender individuals documented in recent months.
With an arrest now made, family members, friends, and community advocates hope the legal process will provide answers and accountability. Investigators have not indicated whether additional charges or arrests are possible as the case proceeds through the Louisiana court system.
