Though the police had not released the names of two people fatally stabbed in a Dorchester apartment over the weekend, Berkshire Pride shared in a statement early Monday that one of victims was transgender activist Jahaira DeAlto, formerly of Pittsfield.
The Boston Globe, late yesterday, confirmed that DeAlto, 42, had been stabbed along with Fatima Yasin, 27, the wife of suspect Marcus Chavis, 34, who Boston Police have charged with two counts of murder and animal cruelty “in connection with an injured dog also found in the home.”
In an update this morning, the Globe reports the incident took place in DeAlto’s home on Taft St. in Dorchester, that Chavis and Yasin had been living there for a couple months while Chavis “attempted to address his mental illness” and that the dog, also stabbed, belonged to DeAlto.
According to the statement, which Berkshire Pride posted on Facebook:
It is with profound sadness that we share and mourn the loss of Jahaira DeAlto. Jahaira was a loyal friend, a fierce advocate, and a mother to many. Her unconditional love was felt by all who met her and her kind and funny spirit left its mark on the Berkshires—from the classrooms at Berkshire Community College to the offices of Elizabeth Freeman Center, from helping launch the first Transgender Day of Remembrance and Berkshire Pride Festival to “being all the things,” as she liked to say. To the Legendary House of Balenciaga, we are so incredibly sorry for your loss.
Reported The Berkshire Eagle:
DeAlto graduated from Berkshire Community College in August 2019 with an associate degree in human services.
Officers responding to an address in the city’s Dorchester section just after noon Sunday found the victims suffering from stab wounds inside an apartment, according to an Associated Press report.
One woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The other woman was taken to a hospital where she later died, police said.
Two children in the home were not injured but were taken to a hospital for an evaluation, police said.
Chavis is being held without bail following his arraignment yesterday, according to the Globe report.
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