A 67-year-old man is charged in the murder of a cisgender woman he killed because he thought she was transgender, according to reports.
Tommy W. Earl killed Michelle Dionne Peacock, 59, in Richmond Indiana on June 30. According to a court affidavit, the suspect approached the victim at a complex called the Merle Henderson Apartments, then slit her throat with a straight razor.
Peacock was pronounced dead at the scene after bleeding “severely from the laceration.”
When police arrived at the scene, they found bystanders attempting to subjugate Earl, who was covered in blood. He later threatened to kill an officer using the same weapon he used to slit Peacock’s throat.
Earl then told investigators that Peacock was a “male acting like a woman,” according to a FOX 59 report.
He further added that he would “do it again” and said he and the victim were not seeing eye to eye for several months before he killed her.
Peacock’s daughter Rochelle has created a GoFundMe to receive help with funeral costs.
Her daughter said her mother was diagnosed with cancer and was fighting the disease at the time of her death.
“My family and I would like to send our gratitude of appreciation to everyone who has reached out whether it was by prayers or donations for the funeral expenses,” Rochelle wrote on the GoFundMe page. “For those of you who don’t know my mom’s story, Michelle was a 59-year-old women battling cancer and lived in Richmond, Indiana. She was murdered on June 30, 2023 by a bully who she complained about numerous times and yet nothing was done. Now we are here.”
In addition to the murder charge, Earl faces charges of intimidation and resisting law enforcement charges. If convicted, he faces up to 65 years in prison.
To donate to Peacock’s family during this difficult time, please visit here.
