Nina Pop was the fifth Black trans woman to be violently killed in the US in the past month. A man has now been charged for her brutal murder
Police have arrested Joseph B. Cannon in connection with the murder of a transgender woman in Missouri (Screenshot: KFVS12)
A man has been charged with the murder of a transgender woman who was found dead in her apartment with multiple stab wounds earlier this month.
Joseph B Cannon, 40, of Poplar Bluff, was taken into custody on May 15 on charges of second degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Nina Pop.
Officers found her body at around 9pm on May 3 after receiving a call about an unresponsive person at an apartment at 600 S New Madrid Street.
Cannon remains in custody with no bond allowed. Early in the investigation detectives considered the possibility of a hate crime, and it’s not clear whether that is still being considered as a motivation.
Nina Pop, 28, was well known in the small town of Sikeston, Missouri, where she worked in a fast food restaurant. Those close to her have shared tributes on Facebook, saying that “everyone loved” her.
“She was always happy and we try not to take that personally, but it hits home a little bit,” a friend told local news station KFVS12.
The outlet is one of several to have repeatedly used Pop’s deadname in reports of her death, along with the Sikeston authorities.
Nina Pop is the latest transgender woman of colour to have been killed in the US (Facebook/Nina Pop)
Sikeston DPS chief James McMillen thanked members of the public for responding to their calls for information which ultimately led to police tracking down the suspect.
“We are pleased to have enough evidence to charge someone for this brutal act,” he said in a statement.
“Several people came forth, offering information, which assisted us greatly in this investigation. We have little doubt this homicide has upset many people in the community and we are thankful we were able to charge the suspect.”
The investigation into Pop’s death continues.
Her murder is believed to be the latest of at least ten violent deaths of trans or gender non-conforming people this year in the US, and the fifth known violent death in the past month — all transgender women of colour.
