Murdered Cleveland Trans Woman Recalled as A Loving Life Partner

Phylicia Mitchell, 45, was shot dead on Feb. 23, Clveland.com reported.

Her life partner of three decades, Shane Mitchell, told the media that he believed her killing was related not to her gender identity, but rather to drugs. He also disclosed that the two separated recently over her drug use. Sadly, they never had the chance to reconcile.

"She was a good person, even though she had a drug problem... She got mixed up with the wrong people," Shane Mitchell said.

He detailed his long and committed relationship with Phylicia, recalling how she left her family in Pittsburg at an early age and traveled to Cleveland. The two endured poverty and episodes of homelessness together, but got through their tough times as a couple.

Some of those challenges were emotional. As Cleveland.com reported, Shane Mitchell's circle initially rejected Phylicia - though in time, they came around. "Everyone loved her," he told the media. "My nieces and nephews opened up to her so much. She was just so funny and kind."

Shane and Phylicia did not marry legally, the article said, though they did celebrate their commitment with a gathering at a church last year. It was at that point that Phylicia began going by Shane's surname.

"That's my soul mate," Shane said. "We went together everywhere. We did everything together. We always held hands on the bus. Years ago people didn't respect that, but they do now."

The Human Rights Campaign marked the fatal shooting with a recap of the Cleveland.com article, and noted that Phylicia's murder constitutes "the fifth known reported death of a transgender person this year." HRC went on to note that 2017 was "the deadliest year on record for transgender people, particularly for trans women of color," and to provide a link to "A Time to Act," a report on last year's spike in anti-trans violence.