Ms Goodbar, also known as Lamya Latoya London, was a black trans woman and actress who was found dead in a parking lot in Georgia on December 27, 2020. Her death has sparked outrage and grief among her friends, fans, and the LGBTQ+ community, who are demanding justice and answers. What was the cause of her death, and who was responsible for it? Here is what we know so far.
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The Discovery of Her Body
According to the Georgia Voice, Ms Goodbar’s body was found by a woman who was walking her dog in front of Raising Canes Chicken Fingers at 795 Baxter Street in Athens. The coroner, Sonny Wilson, said there were no initial signs of foul play, but the autopsy would determine the result of the investigation. Ms Goodbar was initially misgendered by the coroner, who referred to her as a man wearing “lady’s sleepwear”. The police later identified her as Kimberly Patricia Cope, her legal name.
The Last Moments of Her Life
Ms Goodbar’s friends told the police that they saw someone in a white SUV pull up and speak to her. It is unknown whether she entered the vehicle or not. But Classic City News reported that when they looked again, “Kimberly was no longer in sight”. Ms Goodbar’s friends said that they last saw her between 1-3 am on December 27, 2020.
The Investigation and the Suspects
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is investigating Ms Goodbar’s death as a homicide, and has not released any information about the suspects or the motive. The police have asked anyone with information to contact Detective Paul Johnson at 762-400-7060 or paul.johnson@accgov.com. The police have also offered a reward of up to $1,000 for any tips that lead to an arrest and conviction.
The Reaction and the Tribute
Ms Goodbar’s death has sparked a wave of outrage and grief among her friends, fans, and the LGBTQ+ community, who have expressed their condolences and demanded justice on social media. Ms Goodbar was a popular actress who had appeared in several adult films and websites. She was also a model and a dancer, who had performed at various clubs and events. She was known for her beauty, charisma, and talent.
Ms Goodbar’s family and friends have organized a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for her funeral and memorial expenses. The campaign has raised over $10,000 so far, surpassing its initial goal of $8,000. The campaign’s description reads:
“Kimberly Patricia Cope aka Ms Goodbar was a beautiful soul who touched many lives. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed. She was taken from us too soon and we are asking for your help to lay her to rest. Anything helps and is greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless.”
Ms Goodbar’s death is the latest in a series of violent deaths of black trans women in the US, which has been called an epidemic by human rights activists. According to the Human Rights Campaign, 2020 was the deadliest year on record for trans and gender non-conforming people, with 43 known victims, most of whom were black and Latinx women. Ms Goodbar’s death is the first reported case of 2021, and a tragic reminder of the vulnerability and discrimination that trans people face in the society.
