Dominique Fells, 27, was a force in her community.
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"She was someone that lit up a room when she smiled. And she made quite the impression as well. She's somebody who you know you will see her and there was a gravitational force," said Kendall Stephens.
Dominique, who went by the nickname "Rem'mie," was a black transgender woman and was working to define herself.
Arrest warrant issued in connection with murder of transgender woman found near Schuylkill River
"She was going through a transitional period, trying to put some distance between an old life and a new one," Stephens said.
That all ended on June 8.
Just before 6:30 p.m., police were called to the 4600 block of the Schuylkill River Trail in Southwest Philadelphia.
That's where they found her body.
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"The pure savagery of how Remmie was murdered, you know being beaten, stabbed and then having her legs cut off," Stephens said.
Police do have a suspect in the case. They are looking for Akhenaton "AKH" Jones.
Stephens says the man is known in the local transgender community.
Police said Fells was seen arguing with a man in the days before her murder, but it is not clear if that man was Jones.
The Citizens Crime Commission is administering a $5,000 reward and the City of Philadelphia is offering up to $20,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. Just call 215-546-TIPS. All calls will remain anonymous.