M E D I A   R E L E A S E


For Immediate Release

October 13, 2003

CUAV and NCAVP Express Anger and Grief In Wake of San Pablo Murder

San Francisco Representatives from Community United Against Violence (CUAV) a San Francisco anti-violence organization and the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) expressed anger and grief in response to the "cruel and senseless" murder of Ricardo 'Sindy' Cuarda, a 24-year old transgender woman in San Pablo, California.

Sindy, who immigrated to San Francisco from Acapulco, Mexico two years ago was last seen leaving her Richmond apartment on the evening of September 30, 2003. One witness saw Sindy walking up and down Rumrill Boulevard and reported hearing gunshots. A second witness saw a body lying in the street.

Officers reported finding Ms. Cuarda bleeding heavily from several gunshot wounds and lying in a driveway of a business. She died shortly there after at Doctors Medical Center. Earlier reports that some of Sindy's injuries were sustained in her genital area proved untrue. The fatal gunshots were in the victim's upper torso.

Currently the suspect(s) are at large and the police are looking for any information or witnesses that can help to identify the perpetrator(s).

Police ask anyone with information to call (510) 215-3150. Any friends and family that also would like any counseling and advocacy support are encouraged to call CUAV's 24-hour crisis line: (415) 333-4357 or Tina D'Elia directly at: (415) 777-5500, x304.

"This murder is both sickening and sad," said Clarence Patton, NCAVP's Acting Executive Director. "It demands the highest level of attention from law enforcement as well as the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community in California and across the country. Much of the attention given to anti-gay hate crimes tends to focus on lesbian and gay adults, but that is because statistics indicate that they are the most likely victims to report incidents. However, we know that people of transgender experience and young GLBT people – those in our community who are most marginalized -- are at extraordinarily high risk for harassment, violence and murder," concluded Patton.

"This murder is senseless and crushing" said Tina D'Elia, Hate Violence Survivor Program Director at CUAV. "Heartless brutality such as this only underscores the grim reality that transphobia is lethal and that as a society we must make certain that anti-GLBT violence education reaches our communities, our schools, and our own families. As a city, as a state and as a nation we must all have zero-tolerance for acts of hate," concluded D'Elia.


The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs addresses the pervasive problem of violence committed against and within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive communities. NCAVP is a coalition of programs that document and advocate for victims of anti-LGBT and anti-HIV/AIDS violence/harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, police misconduct and other forms of victimization.