Investigators don’t believe the death of a transgender woman was the result of a hate crime.
“We’re not seeing any texts or messages, or in doing interviews with friends and associates, we have not talked to anyone that says this is that person’s characteristics or he was biased towards any particular group,” Capt. Blaine Larsen said on Monday. “We have not have any information leading us in that direction.”
But police did reveal that security footage shows 25-year-old Joshua Rayvon LeClaire was allowed inside Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow’s apartment in the early hours of January 1. Over the course of an hour to 1 1/2 hours, police believe she was killed with a knife that was later found inside the apartment.
At this point in the investigation, police are sifting through any interactions between LeClaire and Wounded Arrow prior to her death. Larsen said that new information could change police’s perspective on LeClaire’s possible motives.
“We’re trying to get into text messages, social media. We’re trying to dig in as far as we can on what kind of contact these individuals have had,” Larsen said.
Officers were originally called to the apartment building on Friday, January 6. A witness noticed the door to Wounded Arrow’s apartment was slightly open and noted a strong odor coming from inside. Larsen said there were visible signs of a struggle inside the apartment and the body of Wounded Arrow was found in a back bedroom.
Police later found LeClaire inside a laundromat near the intersection of 14th Street and Minnesota Avenue. He was arrested for violating his parole.
LeClaire is expected to make a court appearance at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Police are expected to formally charge him with murder by the end of the day on Monday.
