Transgender woman stabbed 119 times, accused man in court

JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. - Dwanya Hickerson, 20, appeared in court in Jackson County Monday for a preliminary hearing.

Officials said Hickerson is accused of stabbing Dee Whigham, 25, to death inside a Best Western hotel room in St. Martin on July 23.

According to the autopsy results, Whigham was stabbed 119 times and her throat was slashed three times.

The hotel's surveillance video captured both Whigham and Hickerson together.

Whigham's friends called authorities after finding her body.

Hickerson was arrested 48 hours later on Keesler Air Force Base and is facing capital murder charges.

Locals in the community want to see justice.

Joshua Generation Pastor, Brandillyne Mangum-Dear said, "Violence against the trans community, particularly transgender women of color, is increasing at an alarming rate and it must be addressed. All crimes of this nature should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, but we need to pay special attention to direct targeting of people marginalized by prejudices, discriminations and ignorance. This is more than a robbery gone bad, this is a hate crime! It is time for Mississippi to recognize and protect this group of MS. citizens. It's our Mississippi too!"