A man convicted of fatally stabbing South Bay drag artist and transgender woman Natalia Smüt in 2021 could face up to 16 years in prison following a guilty verdict that prosecutors and community members hope will provide a sense of justice and closure.
Elijah Cruz Segura, 25, was found guilty of second-degree murder by a Santa Clara County jury on Wednesday, more than three years after police discovered Smüt bleeding to death inside a Milpitas home. This conviction is believed to be the county’s first in a case of domestic violence homicide involving a transgender victim, according to the district attorney’s office.
“Natalia was a shining light in her community. It was evident immediately after she was murdered how much of an effect this had on the transgender and LGBTQ communities,” said Deputy District Attorney Rebekah Wise. “It was a senseless act of violence.”
On April 23, 2021, Milpitas police responded to an emergency call from Hillview Court, where Segura claimed that someone had been cut in the throat. Officers found him with blood on his hands and Smüt, who was Segura’s girlfriend at the time, on the ground with four stab wounds—one in the abdomen and three in the throat. She later died at a hospital, and Segura confessed to the crime, leading to his arrest. Investigators classified Smüt’s death as a domestic violence killing.
Wise noted that Segura would often call Smüt derogatory names related to her being a transgender woman, highlighting the unique forms of abuse that transgender individuals can face. There was a history of abuse in their relationship, which further underscored the case’s tragic nature.
Beloved by San Jose’s LGBTQ+ community, 24-year-old Smüt was known for her “motivating and creative spirit,” captivating performances, and advocacy work. According to the nonprofit Project MORE, her impact on the community was profound.
In the wake of Smüt’s death, Sera Fernando, former chief diversity officer of Silicon Valley Pride, collaborated with community advocates to organize a vigil at San Jose City Hall. Fernando remarked on Smüt’s artistry and fearless nature, stating, “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.” A GoFundMe page created by Smüt’s close friend Kiara Ohlde echoed these sentiments, remembering her as a beautiful soul forever cherished.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, Smüt was the 17th reported transgender or gender non-conforming person to suffer a violent death in 2021. Transgender women of color, particularly, face alarming rates of violence in the United States, and Smüt identified as both Black and Puerto Rican.
“Natalia is loved and cherished by this community. I’m not just saying the transgender community or the drag community. She was a cherished part of the entire South Bay community, especially the LGBTQ+ community,” Fernando stated. “I hope this conviction brings just a little bit of justice as we continue to heal.”
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