Santonio Coleman, a gender-nonconforming person from Athens, Georgia, was found mortally wounded on a popular hiking trail near the University of Georgia on Saturday, October 19. They died from their injuries not long after.
Athens-Clarke County Police arrived at the scene after a man walking his dog discovered Coleman collapsed on the trail and bleeding profusely from their head, WXIA in Athens reported.
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Police are investigating the incident as a homicide and possible hate crime.
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Coleman’s younger sister, Lakiesha Fleming, recalled “San” had gone out on Friday night, which wasn’t unusual, she said. The next morning, police contacted their mother with the news that Coleman was in the hospital.
The family arrived to find Coleman covered in blood, Fleming said. It was unclear at the time what caused their injuries. Police speculated they had fallen and hit their head.
But the family said after seeing their injuries and returning to the trail where they were found, they believe their loved one was attacked.
Coleman fell when they “tried to keep on going” after they were attacked, Fleming said, attempting to make their way home, which was about a mile away. Fleming said Coleman’s phone was taken so they couldn’t call for help.
“They took my best friend,” Fleming said through tears.
In a statement, Athens-Clarke County Police said, “Detectives are investigating the circumstances that led to the death of Santonio Coleman. ACCPD does not have additional information to share as it is an active investigation.”
At a celebration of life held earlier this month, Coleman was eulogized as generous, protective, and reliable. They loved doing their family and friends’ hair.
A friend of Coleman’s mother said to laughter that they were “heavy-handed” but did a good job.
“My cousin would do anything for anybody,” said Sharday Johnson, Coleman’s cousin. “I just want justice, and my family wants justice. That’s all we’re asking God for, is justice.”
Coleman’s sister Lakiesha told WXIA she won’t stop until she finds it.
“You’re going to pay for it,” Fleming said of Coleman’s killer. “Because I’m not going to let this go until the death of me. I promise you I’m not.”
Santonio Coleman is at least the 29th trans or gender-nonconforming person killed in 2024, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
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