NBJC Mourns the Stolen Life of La’Daijah Walters and Kalena “Peaches” Croskey
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
ALABAMA — The National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) mourns the deaths of Kalena “Peaches” Croskey, a 32-year-old Black trans woman, and La’Daijah Walters, a 33-year-old Black trans woman, both from Alabama. Kalena “Peaches” was found dead at Birmingham City Jail on Thursday, June 11, 2026, during a routine check. She had been held since April 21st on charges of disorderly conduct, public intoxication, criminal mischief, and third-degree assault. Conditions in the jail have been deteriorating over the past several years, and just three days after Peaches’ death, another man died. The deaths are being investigated, and no official cause has been released. La’Daijah was shot and killed on June 22, 2026, in a Mobile apartment complex. Police are continuing to investigate.
According to the TAKE Resource Center, Peaches was a Beyoncé fan who created glamorous makeup looks and brought light and laughter wherever she went. She experienced years of being unhoused but never let her struggles take away her joy, which she shared with those around her.
Friends of La’Daijah said she was well-known and loved by the Mobile community and both her chosen and biological family. The Black Butterfly Collective will host a Pink Balloon and Candle Vigil to honor her life on June 29th and has asked attendees to bring her favorite items, Barbies, and stuffed animals for her memorial.
“I grieve with our community in Alabama as they navigate these two devastating losses,” said Victoria Kirby York, Director of Public Policy and Programs. “While Peaches’ death might not have been a homicide, her life was stolen too soon by our broken and dehumanizing carceral system. Given that Black trans women are incarcerated at 10 times the rate of the general population and are less likely to be able to afford bail, Peaches’ experience is not unique. Another experience that is unfortunately not unique for Black trans women was La’Daijah facing discrimination in finding work and relying on survival sex work, which around 40% of Black trans women do to afford the cost of living. Decriminalizing sex work would create safer conditions for people who are employed by one of our oldest occupations. These deaths display the deep and immediate need for accessible and culturally competent resources around housing, mental health, and restorative justice. We must create systems that don’t just allow our trans siblings to get by but thrive.”
Those with information on the death of La’Daijah Walters should contact the Mobile Police Department at 251-208-7211 or anonymously by texting 844-251-0644 or going to mobilepd.org/crimetip.
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.
Read this OpEd to learn more about changing local policies and increasing protections for transgender and non-binary community members.