7News has confirmed that Porfilio Rodriguez, better known as the transgender individual who identified as Vanessa Champagne Paris, died on Saturday night at the Dangriga Hospital. At this time, police aren't so sure if Paris died of natural causes or if she drank poison and took her life.
That's the report that we've been receiving since morning, but what we know for certain is that she was rushed from Independence to the hospital in Dangriga after she started complaining about stomach pains. Police tell us that they've received that same report that she may have committed suicide, but to be certain, they will await the results of a post-mortem examination, which will take place tomorrow.
She was first thrust into the public spotlight after a mob of Belize City males cornered her on Vernon Street, near the Berger Field in April 2014. Those men chased and assaulted her for no reason, other than openly dressing as a transgender woman.
Gay Rights Activitist, Caleb Orozco, one of the leading personalities of the organization, UNIBAM, commented to us, quote, "For me as a human being, Vanessa Champagne Paris was an emotional symbol of how inhumane our society could be when someone is different and trying to honestly be themselves..." End Quote.
We'll have the results of the post-mortem after the examination is completed.
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