Family Mourns Killing of 29-Year-Old Florida Trans Person “Known by Many Names”

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Update 5/12/26: Family of the victim launched a fundraiser on May 10 to cover funeral and memorial costs, shedding further light on how their lost loved one identified.

“Known by many names — Spot, Spotzie, Momma Spotzie, Hailey, and more — he was a wonderful, giving person who touched countless lives,” the GoFundMe, started by Spot’s grandmother Louise Singleton, reads. “As a proud member of the Transgender LGBTQ+ community, he embraced his true self and brought warmth and kindness to everyone he met.”

According to the fundraiser, police are still investigating the homicide. The family are seeking $14,000 in expenses. “Despite facing many challenges, including a developmental disability and the struggle to regain Social Security disability payments, he never let hardship stop him from helping others,” Louise Singleton wrote. “Even though he owned little, he would give anyone the shirt off his back.”

Original Article 5/7/26: Police in Marion County, Florida are investigating the shooting death of a 29-year-old transgender person as a homicide after finding the victim’s body on a dirt road near a set of railroad tracks in the city of Dunnellon on Tuesday.

According to local ABC affiliate WCJB, police identified the victim as Henry Singleton, who on Facebook listed their name as Mommie Spotsie King. On both Facebook and Instagram, the individual also incorporated the name Hailey into their username. The victim’s trans identity was first noted by local website Ocala-News.com.

It is not known exactly how this person identified or what pronouns they preferred, but in one social media post reviewed by Them, the victim self-describes as a “crossdressing sissy that’s transitioning.” While separate identities, there can be overlap between people who crossdress and trans people, especially because crossdressing can be a way for many trans people to explore their gender presentation before coming out.

Ocala-News.com reports that the victim used the term “transitioning” across “multiple social media posts.” The individual’s Instagram profile also includes the line “LGBTQI Community Always.”

When asked about the victim’s identity and other pertinent details, a spokesperson for the Marion County Sheriff’s office told Them, “Right now, I have no information regarding your inquiry. This is still an active case so a lot of details have not been released.”

Experts on such cases say it is critical to accurately identify trans victims of violent crimes in order to aid in clearing investigations, especially given the fact that trans people are often known by different names and presentations depending on social context.

“People called him ‘Spotsy,’” said Stephanie Carver, a neighbor who didn’t know the victim personally told NBC affiliate WESH. In the Facebook comments of one public post mourning the loss, one person refers to the victim as “Henry/Hailey” while another writes, “Fly high Hailey.”

Loved ones are posting tributes on social media as the investigation continues. “Gonna miss you bub,” one friend wrote over a video filmed on a beach.

This is the sixth known trans person to be violently killed in 2026. Earlier this week, reports emerged that a shooting death in New Mexico that occurred in April involved a trans victim, 39-year-old farmer and food justice advocate Luca RedBeard.

Police have asked anyone with information about the Florida case to contact Detective Karla Santana-Palau at (352) 368-3548.

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