Police in Cherokee County, Georgia, have confirmed that Howard Newhouse, 57, committed suicide after he had shot and killed his trans daughter Katie Newhouse, 19. Following a 911 call from a neighbour, officers attended a house in Cherokee County on 19th March where they discovered both bodies. A police spokesperson reported that Katie’s mother had been in the house at the time of the attack but was unharmed.
Katie was a vocal advocate for trans rights and had previously been living in a mental health facility before being sent home during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The US website Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents reported: “A native of Illinois, Kathryn was most recently living with her family in Canton, Georgia. Kathryn was a Minecraft and UberSpire enthusiast, an advocate for trans rights, had a bright smile, enjoyed changing up her hairstyles, and attentive to world events.
“She enjoyed hiking and sightseeing. She was proud of her AAPI [Asian American and Pacific Islander] heritage; she was of Filipino heritage. She believed the credo ‘Model best behavior in your own sphere, break down stereotypes, and speak out.’ ”
In 2019, Howard Newhouse was accused of “holding [Katie] down on a bed by her throat” and, although police became involved, the case did not go to trial and was dismissed. The following year, Mr Newhouse called the police because Katie had knocked a cup out of his hand.
The killing of Katie Newhouse is the eighth murder of a trans women in the US so far this year.
If you are a young trans person needing support in the UK, please contact Mermaids. If you believe that you are in physical danger, contact the police without delay.
