32-year-old LGBTI activist Raphaela Souza was murdered with three head shots at 10:30 p.m., on November 14, 2018 in Vitória da Conquista, southwest Bahia. Sources that this was a robbery murder because  her cellphone was taken.

Raphaela was a social worker and hairdresser and she was known in the gay community for her role in the State Council for the Rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transgender community (Conselho Estadual dos Direitos da População de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, travestis e Transexuais), as well as for her participation in Finas Collective of Transvestites and Transsexuals (Grupo Social Coletivo Finas de Travestis e Transexuais).

The Secretariat for Justice, Human Rights and Social Development (Secretaria da Justiça, Direitos Humanos e Desenvolvimento Social) issued a statement condemning Raphaela’s murder:

“She devoted her days to the fight against intolerance and disrespect, she fought for the construction of spaces that respect people on their own terms, free from transphobia and all kinds of prejudice and discrimination.” Raphaela’s struggle will not be futile, we will continue the struggle for a more equal society that respects people, diversity and human rights “.

According to Courier 24h,  Raphaela’s death was the second killing of a transgender person in one week in that municipality.