Zoraida Reyes, Transgender DREAMer Activist: Death Deemed “Suspicious;” Vigil TONIGHT

The death of a transgender activist who fought against deportations that break up same-sex couples is being investigated as suspicious, according to the Anaheim Police Department.

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The body of 28-year-old Zoraida Reyes was discovered around 10:50 a.m. Thursday in the parking lot behind a Dairy Queen in the 200 block of North State College Boulevard. Anaheim Police Lt. Bob Dunn confirmed the location in a press statement, but the identity was revealed by Reyes' friends then confirmed the identity this afternoon.

The cause of death has not been established, but Dunn said it is being investigated as “suspicious,” although it has not been classified as a homicide. Yet. Detectives are awaiting the results of an autopsy.

Reyes was an immigrant transgender woman and well-known community activist who worked with Orange County Dream Team, DeColores Queer Orange County and Familia. She was born in Michoacan, Mexico, attended high school in Santa Ana and became an activist while at UC Santa Barbara.

As of about 1:20 p.m., the “Zoraida's Funeral Fund” at gofundme had raised $3,070 toward a goal of $7,000.

A vigil by family and friends is scheduled for 5:30 this evening at the Santa Ana Plaza at the corner of 4th and French streets. Reyes' friend, Rafael Solorzano, told KNBC/4 that the vigil will “celebrate her how she celebrated herself daily.”

Email: mc****@oc******.com. Twitter: @MatthewTCoker. Follow OC Weekly on Twitter @ocweekly or on Facebook!

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