Many were in mourning Saturday upon hearing the news that a beloved drag artist and entertainer in the South Bay was killed in Milpitas a day earlier.
Natalia Smüt, 24, an Afro-Rican trans woman from San José, was known for her “motivating and creative spirit, captivating performances, and her love for advocacy within the community,” according to a blog post shared by LGBTQ support and advocacy organization Project More.
“She was always a performer,” said Kiara Ohlde, a longtime friend who said Smüt was like family to her. The pair grew up together. Even in childhood, Ohlde said, Smüt loved to put on shows and delight her family and friends.
“She would put on some Christina Aguilera or Britney Spears, and put on shows and make sure people were watching,” Ohlde said. “She would perform a whole show and jump into the splits.”
She was also known to be confident and honest, Ohlde said.
“She was not afraid to speak her mind,” she said. “She was amazing.”
At least 100 people gathered for a Saturday vigil organized by friends and community leaders at San Jose City Hall, laying candles, flowers and other art or mementos on the steps in honor of Smüt.
Nathan Svoboda, president of the Project More Foundation, described Smüt as a “captivating” artist and a person who seemed to have a “positive, really bright star.”
“We lost a jewel in our community,” he said.
Police have not shared many details about Smüt’s death. A report about the homicide published by the Milpitas Police Department said Union City resident Elijah Segura had called police at almost 2:30 a.m. Friday, stating that he was responsible for injuring a 24 year-old San Jose woman.
Police took Segura, 22, into custody, while officers found Smüt lying on the ground with “significant injuries.” Rescuers took her to a hospital, but she was later pronounced dead.
According to police and family members, Segura and Smüt were dating; authorities described the case as a “domestic violence homicide investigation.”
The circumstances have left the community in shock and mourning.
“The first time I put myself in drag, she told me how proud she was of me, and she hyped me up so much,” Cindy Campbell posted on Twitter. “Every time after that encounter, it was big hugs.”
Svoboda said Smüt was the United States’ 16th person killed as a result of violence against transgender or nonconforming people this year, according to the latest numbers tracked by the Human Rights Campaign. Four of them were killed this month.
Last year, the organization tracked a total of 44 fatalities of trans and non-conforming people, the highest on record since it began tracking such crimes in 2013.
They were killed by acquaintances, partners or strangers, according to a report from Human Rights Campaign, which noted that while the circumstances all differ, “fatal violence disproportionately affects transgender women of color — particularly Black transgender women.”
Ten of the 16 trans people killed this year have been Black.
Svoboda said that in honor of Smüt and the other 15 transgender victims of violence across the U.S., the color of San Jose’s Qmunity District lights would be changed to those of the trans flag for the next 16 days.
Sera Fernando, who got to know Smüt through Silicon Valley Pride events, said Smüt’s willingness to speak onstage about her life or experiences was striking.
“It spoke to my heart,” Fernando said.
While Fernando is used to facing the tragic statistics on violence against the trans community — she frequently reviews them in her work as a senior management analyst for the Santa Clara County Office of LGBTQ Affairs — she said the death of someone in the San Jose trans community is crushing.
“Natalia is so brave, so courageous, for living in her authenticity,” Fernando said. “How is it possible that someone as brave and courageous as her — how do we not protect that?”
Ohlde created a GoFundMe website to raise money for funeral expenses and hospital bills.
“She was fabulous,” Ohlde wrote on the page. “She would step into a room like a firework. Everywhere she went, she brought energy, fierce looks, and a personality that shined bright like a diamond.”
Milpitas police are encouraging anyone with information about the case to call them at 408-586-2400. Information can be given anonymously by calling the crime tip hotline at 408-586-2500 or visiting the Milpitas Police Department website at: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/crimetip
Staff photographer Karl Mondon contributed reporting.
