Union city man charged with murder of transgender woman

For release on April 27, 2021

CONTACT:

Rebekah Wise
Deputy District Attorney
Homicide Unit
(408) 808-3752

Union city man charged with murder of transgender woman 

A Union City man has been charged with the Milpitas murder of a 24-year-old transgender woman.

Elijah Cruz Segura stabbed to death Xeonte Brown, also known as Natalia Smüt Lopez, and then called 911. Segura and the Victim had been dating for several months.

Segura, 22, will be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon in the Department 24 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

District Attorney Jeff Rosen said: “Our hearts go out to Natalia’s loved ones. We are committed to getting justice for our community against those who commit domestic violence and violence against transgender and non-binary people. Our everlasting hope is to see it stop.”

Around 2:30 a.m. on April 23, the defendant called 911. Responding officers to a residence at 1000 block of Hillview Court in Milpitas found the Victim with multiple stab wounds.

She was pronounced dead at the hospital. The defendant, who had visible blood on both of his hands, was arrested at the scene.

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