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Aja Raquell Rhone-Spears, Trans Woman, Killed at Vigil

Aja Raquell Rhone

Police are seeking answers in the death.

Police are seeking answers in the stabbing death of a woman in Portland Tuesday night. Aja Raquell Rhone-Spears, 34, who was also known as Rocky Rhones, was one of two people stabbed during a vigil for Tyrell Penney.

According to police, Rhone-Spears was in attendance at the vigil near the 15800 block of Southeast Division which later moved to a home in the 100 block of Northeast 92nd Place. There were 20 to 30 people in the residence when a "large disturbance occurred involving multiple participants" according to a statement from police. Rhone-Spears and one other person was stabbed during the altercation.

Despite live-saving measures taken by officers and medical personnel, Rhone-Spears was declared dead at the scene. The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Officer later determined the cause of death was homicide by stabbing.

Police say there are "multiple witnesses" to the murder, but also that they "encountered hostility and a lack of cooperation" while conducting an investigation at the scene.

Tyrell Penney, 27, of Sacramento, California, was shot and killed Saturday in the same area as the vigil. Police were called to the scene where they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds.

Friends mourned the passing of Rhone-Spears, calling it a "great loss" and encouraged others to help support her "beautiful family during this horrific tragedy.

Anyone with information regarding the murder of Rhones-Spears is encouraged to contact Detective Brad Clifton at 503.823.0696, Brad.Clifton@portlandoregon.gov, or Detective Mike Greenlee at 503.823.0871, Michael.Greenlee@portlandoregon.gov.

Anyone with information can regarding Tyrell Penney is encouraged to contact Detective Winters at williamw.winters@portlandoregon.gov or Detective Law at travis.law@portlandoregon.gov and refer to incident #20-232529.

RELATED | Over 600,000 Demand Answers in Death of Tete Gulley, Black Trans Woman

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