NBJC Mourns the Stolen Life of Kasi Rhea
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
LYNCHBURG, VA– The National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) mourns the death of Kasi Rhea, a 31-year-old Black transgender woman. Kasi was found dead from several gunshot wounds in Lynchburg, Virginia on August 18, 2025. A suspect has been arrested and charged in her murder. Authorities are currently investigating if Kasi and her killer had a relationship prior to the shooting.
Kasi was a talented hairstylist and woman of faith. She appears to have a large extended family, who gathered for a candlelight vigil recently to honor her life.
“I send my condolences to all those suffering from the loss of Kasi,” says Victoria Kirby York, Director of Public Policy and Programs. “An attendee at the vigil noted, it is essential that the community come together during these moments of tragedy and provide each other support. And support does not just look like providing condolences and mourning with the family. It also means advocating for policies that will protect our trans siblings. It means advocating for law enforcement to be culturally competent, which includes avoiding misgendering and deadnaming victims, and issuing corrections when they do. It means remembering those we lose are not just statistics in an ongoing epidemic of violence but whole and complex people with hopes, ambitions, and plans.”
Remember the lives of all of the Black trans siblings we have lost this year with action by viewing NBJC’s resources for the transgender and gender-expansive/non-conforming community HERE.
Learn more about reducing gender-based violence here and here. Look here to learn more about changing local laws and increasing protections for trans and non-binary community members.