Trigger Warning: This article contains descriptions of violence, death, and the killing of a transgender teenager. Reader discretion is advised.
An Idaho teenager, Hope “Onyx” Cornish, 18, was killed on August 19 in what police are describing as a domestic homicide at the hands of their adoptive father, Delbert Cornish. The case has drawn national and international attention, both for the shocking details surrounding the crime and for the painful reality that yet another transgender youth has lost their life to violence.
According to law enforcement reports, Cornish confessed to shooting Onyx before wrapping their body in a Pride flag. Police say he also admitted to killing the family’s cat. Court documents reveal Cornish told investigators he had been struggling with family tensions and feelings of humiliation after conflicts with relatives. When asked about his actions, he allegedly told officers, “I did it.”
Onyx, who used he/they/she pronouns, was known by friends and community members as a vibrant young person who embraced alt fashion, loved metal music, and experimented with makeup and self-expression. They had recently celebrated a year of sobriety and were described as someone who approached life with creativity and resilience despite challenges.
LGBTQ advocates say the tragedy reflects a disturbing pattern. Data compiled by community monitoring projects shows that Onyx is among the youngest reported transgender individuals killed in 2025. Advocates point out that this is not an isolated incident; several transgender and gender-nonconforming youth in recent years have been killed by their own parents or guardians.
“Every time we lose a young person in this way, it is not just a family tragedy but a communal wound,” said one advocate in a statement. “Trans youth deserve safety, support, and affirmation. Too often, they are denied even the most basic acceptance at home.”
The case also highlights the persistent problem of misgendering in media and official records. Initial reports referred to Onyx solely with the name given at birth, a practice that many trans advocates argue erases the identity of the victim. Friends and community members have worked quickly to correct the record, emphasizing Onyx’s chosen name and pronouns as an act of respect.
While the criminal case proceeds through Idaho courts, LGBTQ organizations nationwide have called for both justice and reflection. Vigils are being organized to honor Onyx’s life, with community leaders urging people to remember them not only as a victim but as a young person full of potential whose life was cut short.
The killing comes at a time when transgender people in the United States continue to face rising hostility, from legislative attacks on gender-affirming care to public harassment and violence. For many, the loss of Onyx is not only deeply personal but also emblematic of the broader climate trans youth are forced to navigate.
As the investigation unfolds, the memory of Hope “Onyx” Cornish stands as a solemn reminder of the urgent need for compassion, protection, and unwavering support for transgender people, especially the most vulnerable among us.
