Maryland – Taya Ashton, a 20-year-old Black transgender woman, tragically lost her life in 2021 in a horrific act of transphobia. Almost four years later, her killer, DeAllen Price, a 29-year-old man, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for the murder of Ashton.
The Murder of Taya Ashton
Ashton and Price had been in a relationship, according to the prosecution. However, the situation turned deadly when Price discovered that Ashton was transgender. During a private conversation, Price learned about Ashton’s gender identity and, in a shocking act of violence, he shot and killed her in her Maryland residence.
Assistant State’s Attorney Sherrie Waldrup described Price’s courtroom confession as chilling. Price admitted to killing Ashton after he discovered she was transgender. Waldrup explained:
“[Price] told the court that he was engaged in an intimate relationship with Taya and that that evening was when he first learned about her trans identity. After that, Price shot Ashton.”
The National Outrage
The case sparked nationwide outrage and brought critical attention to the dangers faced by Black transgender women in the United States. Advocacy groups and the LGBTQ+ community quickly rallied around Ashton’s death, citing it as another example of the violence that transgender individuals, especially trans women of color, continue to face.
Taya’s murder highlights the ongoing issue of transphobic violence, which remains a prevalent problem in 2025. Activists have pointed out that despite increasing awareness, Black transgender women are still disproportionately targeted, and many believe that imprisonment alone is insufficient for achieving true justice.
Calls for Action and Accountability
In the wake of Ashton’s death, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) issued a statement expressing the profound loss of a young life. Lindsey Clark, HRC’s Associate Director of the Transgender Justice Initiative, said:
“Taya was just at the beginning of her life — a life that she deserved to live to its fullest. Black transgender women continue to be killed in this country, and this violence is unacceptable. Everyone, from friends and family to community organizers and allies, needs to speak out with urgency. We must end the stigma and violence that all transgender and gender non-conforming people face.”
LGBTQ+ leaders have called for stronger protective measures, including national hate crime legislation, police accountability in missing persons cases, and education efforts to eliminate anti-trans stigma. These efforts aim to create a safer and more inclusive environment for transgender people.
Taya Ashton’s Legacy: A Call for Change
As we reflect on Pride Month 2025, Taya Ashton’s story serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the critical need for institutional and cultural change in the fight for transgender rights and safety.
Her tragic death adds to the growing body of evidence that underscores the urgency of addressing transphobic violence and ensuring that transgender individuals are afforded respect, safety, and justice.
While her life was cut short, Taya Ashton’s memory lives on in the continued fight for transgender equality and in every call for justice and protection for transgender people, especially those from marginalized communities.