Individuals Memorialized in Joseph Liatela’s

Rosaline “Rose” Mattaboni was intelligent, kind, and compassionate, with a vibrant personality. She attended Millersville University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Madeline Cassandra Stensrud was a caring partner and mother, an avid photographer, and a passionate Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) player. According to her partner, “Maddie was an incredible world builder and put so much time and thought into everything she created. … Her favorite color was royal blue, her favorite bird was a shrike, her favorite board game was Settlers of Catan, her favorite video game was Skyrim, and her favorite food was a well-cooked steak. And by ‘well’ I actually mean pretty rare. All of these little things made up the person that was Maddie. She always went out of her way to make the people she loved smile. She was an artist, a prankster, a gamer, the most wonderful person someone could ever meet.”

The description in Rylie Autumn Heart’s Instagram account included lyrics from Leonard Cohen’s song “Anthem”: “There is a crack, a crack in everything—that’s how the light gets in.”

Jadyn Kimsel is remembered by friends and family as a “strong man who was always true to himself.” He was a member of the swim team and the Howell High School Alliance Community, a student-led supportive space that fosters positive peer relationships, advocates for inclusivity, and promotes mental health. He expressed himself through his interest in music and enjoyed watching television shows and anime, playing Roblox, and creating pixel art. When asked, “What is your reason—the thing that keeps you going?” he would respond, “So I can be remembered as a man.”

Sydney Lou Walden enjoyed music and nature and was a champion of environmental protection and of the dignity and equality of all people. Walden developed into a strong self-advocate and will be remembered for her kind heart, compassion, and love for her family. Later in life, her mantra was, “All will be well.”

Daniella Analee Escobedo was a Latina trans woman living in Las Vegas. It is believed she was born in the greater Los Angeles region. In a Transgender Day of Visibility post on social media, she celebrated living in Las Vegas and the community she found there by living authentically.

Aleanna Belcher embraced life with enthusiasm and was always willing to help others. Born in Las Vegas, she studied at the city’s University of Nevada campus. She loved music and identified as a DJ, music promoter, and dancer, performing under the names Aleanna Royal and Queen Freakii. She also designed her own clothing. Deeply family-oriented, she supported her loved ones selflessly and served as a guiding light for her nieces and nephews.

Lucas Redbeard Knapp, who also went by “Luca,” identified as a chef, fermenter, natural farmer, and educator. Originally from New Jersey, they lived in Florida, Oregon, and Boston before settling in rural New Mexico. They acquired land in the region in 2019 after spending time at the Zuni Mountain Sanctuary with the Radical Faeries. They founded Misfit Kitchen Gardens, an educational high-desert farm in West Central New Mexico focused on supporting Land Back movements, food sovereignty, and sustainable practices.

Juniper Blessing was a student at the University of Washington, where she majored in Atmospheric and Climate Science. She previously graduated from high school at the New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe. Her hobbies included meteorology, music, singing, and video games. Her family described her as “highly intelligent, extremely talented, and deeply sensitive to the needs of others.”

Hailey Singleton was known by many names, including Spot, Spotzie, and Momma Spotzie. Their family described them as a “wonderful, giving person who touched countless lives” and as a “proud member of the Transgender LGBTQ+ community,” who embraced their authentic self despite living with the challenges of disability.

Murray Foust was a senior in Northern Kentucky University's College of Arts and Sciences, where they focused on ceramics, sculpture, and painting. Through their art, Foust found a way to express themself and overcome personal challenges. Before their death, Foust was set to show their art at the Cincinnati Art Museum on May 29 for “Art After Dark: Queer Art Fest.” A selection of their work was shown to celebrate their art and life.

La’Daijah Walters was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, where she attended Murphy High School. She spent time in Atlanta, Houston, and Pensacola, Florida. She was active in the Ballroom community and a member of the Black Butterfly Collective, a support and empowerment group for trans people of color in Alabama. Her friend, Myah Turner, posted a tribute on Facebook: “Because despite whatever distance existed, she was not a stranger to me. / She was someone I knew. / She was someone I cared about. / She was someone from our community.”