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Victim In Stabbing Death Was Trans Woman, Says Friend Who Wants Police To Make Case A Priority

WBBM's Steve Miller

(CBS) -- Chicago Police are investigating the stabbing death of a 28-year-old in the West Garfield Park neighborhood – a victim officially listed as male but who friends say was a trans woman.

"I really want justice for my friend. That's really it," says Jaliyah.

Jaliyah says she knew the trans woman who was murdered and was her friend for seven years.

She has organized a vigil for her friend.

"I know she wouldn't want us to be all sad and crying. But it's like, what can we do?" she says. "And it's the third time this has happened in the area. Nothing ever gets done about it, and the cases never get solved. Any leads, they sweep it under the rug."

Jaliyah adds: "Trans lives matter. They keep saying black lives matter. Trans lives also matter."

Jaliyah says she suspects her friend was killed by another trans woman.

The medical examiner says the 28-year-old suffered multiple stab and incise wounds.

Police say a knife was recovered at the scene, which is near railroad tracks.

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