LOS ANGELES—Former trans adult performer Nyobi Khan was shot and killed Sunday morning in her hometown of Philadelphia, according to a Philly.com report. She was 40.
Khan, aka Michele 'Tamika' Washington, was known locally as a mentor and advocate in the city’s LGBTQ community.
The Philadelphia Police arrested Troy Bailey, 28, in the city’s Franklinville section, in connection with the murder, the site reported. Bailey was arraigned today on murder and other firearms-related charges.
Police Sgt. Eric Gripp told Philly.com Monday detectives believe the homicide was connected to a robbery, but that he was not ruling out the possibility of a hate crime.
Amber Hikes, executive director of the city’s Office of LGBT Affairs, said in a statement that Washington was “a brilliant and outgoing member of Philadelphia’s transgender community, known for her advocacy and mentorship, and she will be profoundly missed.”
Raquel Evita Saraswati, chair of the Mayor’s Commission on LGBT Affairs, said, “our community is nothing without black trans women, and we will mourn the loss of Michelle ‘Tamika’ Washington today and in the years to come.”
Khan, who was active in porn from about 2001-2009 according to IAFD, performed in about 15 movies for studios such as Kink, Evil Angel and Grooby.
Washington’s death came the same weekend that Cashmere, a 23-year-old trans performer aka Muhlaysia Booker, was fatally shot in Dallas.
Tatyana Woodard, a former colleague of Washington’s for a Mazzoni Center project, told Philly.com that Washington was "a nurturer."
A vigil for Washington will start at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Gloria Casarez Residence in North Philadelphia, the site reported.
Photo by Frank's T-Girl World via IAFD.com.
