Charlotte, NC Transgender Woman Murdered

May Toni Alston rest in peace! Info sought in Charlotte transgender murder Police, media initially identify victim as 'crossdresser' with 'alternative lifestyle' Updated by Matt Comer April 20, 2010 Originally published: April 20, 2010, 12:52 p.m. Updated: April 20, 2010, 7:45 p.m [Ed. Note — qnotes' original article identified the victim of this crime using male pronouns to match the male name given by police. The article has been reflected to include the victim's female/chosen name and now uses female pronouns to identify her.] CHARLOTTE — Police and family members of a transgender Charlottean identified by police as a “crossdresser” are searching for information regarding the crime and hope community members can aid in their quest to solve the murder. Just after midnight on April 3, Toni Alston (birth name, Tony), 44, was found shot in the front door of her home on Minnesota Rd. in West Charlotte. On April 13, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, along with Alston’s family, held a press conference reaching out for information in the case. qnotes was not made aware of the press conference. Details regarding Alston’s gender identity and expression remain sparse after a police press conference and mainstream media reporting failed to delve into or discuss the details of the crime and its victim. During the press conference, Alston was identified by her birth name and information regarding her female name has only been reported here. According to investigators, Alston had dressed as a woman since high school. “(People) knew he was a man, called him ’she’ and respected his lifestyle,” investigator Bill Ward said, according to The Charlotte Observer. WCNC Newschannel 36 — which said Alston “lived an alternative lifestyle” and called him a “crossdresser” — said investigators were looking into cell phone records and believe Alston might have known his killer. “In that lifestyle, of course, you have the cell phones, you have the internet and all those things we are still trying to sift through,” Ward said at the press conference. Police don’t have evidence Alston’s gender identity played a role in the crime and think Alston’s murder might have been an attempted robbery, but police say the inside of Alston’s home looked untouched. Investigators were able to collect some physical evidence from the scene. Alston was able to get help from a neighbor and give some information to police before she died. Alston said the assailant was an African-American man wearing a gray T-shirt. Alston’s sisters, Danielle Prophete and Kimberly Pitter, said they were supportive of their sibling. They are mourning the loss and begging those with information to come forward. “It didn’t matter; we didn’t judge him,” Prophete said, according to The Observer. “Anybody, please, give us something. That was my oldest brother.” As of the evening of April 20, investigator Ward had yet to return requests for comment on this matter. Those with information about the case are asked to call and speak with a detective at 704-432-TIPS (8477) or call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 for anonymous tips. Stay tuned to goqnotes.com as this story develops. News tips can be sent to editor@goqnotes.com. Correction: The original version of this article identified the police investigator as Brad Ward. The investigator is Bill Ward. We regret the error. Original Article