“Milpitas Man Convicted of Murdering Trans Woman in 2021 Domestic Violence Case”
A jury in Santa Clara County convicted a Milpitas man on Wednesday for the murder of his transgender partner in 2021, according to prosecutors.
Elijah Cruz Segura, 25, was found guilty in the stabbing death of Natalia Smut, marking what is believed to be the county’s first prosecution for a domestic violence homicide involving a transgender victim. District Attorney Jeff Rosen emphasized the importance of addressing domestic violence in all its forms, stating, “Domestic violence of all kinds hides in the shadows of our community. We as a community will shine a light on it, fight against it, and work to help victims find empathy, safety, shelter, and justice.”
Prosecutors detailed that Milpitas Police responded to a call at a residence on Hillview Court in the early hours of April 13, 2021. Upon arrival, they discovered Segura and Smut, who had been stabbed multiple times.
The couple had been dating for several months, and Smut was a well-known drag queen. Her murder sent shockwaves throughout the Bay Area LGBTQ+ community and affected her friends and family deeply.
“It hurts. I’m outraged. I’m disappointed. It makes me want to work harder. But there’s always this sense of trauma,” said Sera Fernando, a trans activist, in response to Natalia’s death.
Vanessa Singh, the victim’s older sister, remembered Smut fondly, saying, “Natalia was beautiful. She had one of the biggest hearts you could ask for. And she would just light up a room as soon as she walked in.”
Segura is set to be sentenced in January, facing a potential prison term of 16 years to life.
