The tragic death of Ervianna “Baydee” Johnson, a 25-year-old Black transgender woman from North Carolina, has rocked both her local community and the wider LGBTQ+ world. Johnson was found lifeless near a pond in Tabor City on February 19 — six days after leaving her home in the middle of the night without her phone, wallet, or ID. Authorities have since confirmed they’re treating her death as a homicide.
If you have any information regarding Johnson’s death, authorities urge you to contact the State Bureau of Investigation at (910) 939-6200 or the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office at (910) 642-6551.
The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, along with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, is on the hunt for a 21-year-old Black male suspect tied to the case. According to a statement, the preliminary autopsy points to foul play. Yet, even in death, Johnson is being denied her truth — local police, media, and even some relatives have misgendered her, once again highlighting the persistent, violent disrespect trans women of color face.
Johnson’s last known movements only deepen the mystery. She reportedly left her house at around 3 a.m., appearing to expect a short visit with someone. Her mother was the last person to see her, and all her belongings remained at home, untouched. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office noted her departure was unusual — “as if meeting someone briefly.”
A Life Cut Short — And Misunderstood
Johnson wasn’t just another name. She was vibrant, bold, and brimming with creativity. A digital content creator who also worked at LaQuinta Inn & Suites, her online presence reflected a fierce love of dance, hip-hop majorette performances, and everything from GloRilla to RuPaul’s Drag Race. She was especially close to her nieces and nephews and was described by those who knew her as courageous and unapologetically herself.
Despite her visibility and vivacity, the response to her death has been clouded by the all-too-common pattern of deadnaming and misgendering — erasing her identity and pain in one fell swoop. Local LGBTQ+ organizations, including Transformation NC, are now calling for media outlets to do better and to honor her for who she truly was: a Black trans woman whose light was extinguished far too soon.
This isn’t an isolated case — and that’s precisely the point. Black trans women remain among the most targeted populations in America, facing staggering levels of violence, systemic erasure, and often indifference when justice is sought. Baydee’s death joins a long, bitter list of unsolved and unacknowledged murders within the trans community.
Where’s the Outrage?
It’s 2025. Trans women — especially Black trans women — are still dying, and the silence is deafening. “Baydee’s” story deserves not only mourning but mobilization. This case is more than a tragedy; it’s a warning sign that the country’s ongoing transphobic climate is bleeding into every corner of daily life, even small-town North Carolina.
Justice for Baydee is justice for every trans woman who’s had her life stolen or her truth denied.