Social media activists are calling for an investigation after a Black male-to-female transgender was found dead in a Riker’s Island jail cell over the weekend.
Family and friends of Layleen Cubilette-Polanco want to know why the 27-year-old was found dead in a jail cell.
According to ABC News, Polanco was arrested in late April for allegedly assaulting a cab driver in Harlem and being in possession of a controlled substance.
Polanco was sent to Rikers Island, where jail officials found the body in a cell on Saturday, June 8. Polanco was scheduled to be released on June 13.
Jail officials say there are no signs of foul play. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of the death. Polanco did not have any health problems according to the family.
Out magazine reports that Polanco was housed in the Rose M. Singer women’s facility in a unit designed to reduce violence against trans and gender non-conforming people.
The Department of Corrections promised a full investigation into the unattended death. Cynthia Brann, released the following statement: “This is a tragic loss and we extend our deepest condolences to her family.”
Members of the LGBT+ community planned to rally outside New York’s Criminal Court building at 100 Centre Street on Monday, June 10.
Polanco was a member of the House of Xtravaganza and was known for walking the category of Realness at ballroom events, according to Out magazine.
Layleen Polanco is reportedly the 10th Black MTF transgender to die in 2019. The Black Trans Media honored all 10 of the deceased MTF transgenders over the weekend, writing their names on a banner for Brooklyn Pride.
