Dee Whigham: Trans woman was stabbed 119 times in a Mississippi motel

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Dee Whigham, 25, was found stabbed to death in a Mississippi motel room. A Navy sailor has been charged in the slaying.

"Tomorrow is never promised, so live life and embrace all that comes," Dee Whigham wrote on Facebook, according to Mic.com.

Those words were never truer in the case of Whigham, a 25-year-old trans woman from Shubuta, Mississippi was found dead in a St. Martin motel Saturday night, July 23, 2016.

Dee Whigham, 25, had just begun a new career in the medical field in January as a registered nurse. She enjoyed helping people. As a relatively new employee at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, she was making a great impression. So, why anyone would want to hurt her boggles the minds of her family and co-workers.

Police arrested a 25-year-old Navy seaman, Dwanya Hickerson, in the slaying, according to the Associated Press. Hickerson was purportedly in town to attend the Gulf Coast Black Rodeo.

During a hearing in the case on September 12, it was revealed that Hickerson allegedly stabbed Whigham 119 times, including many cuts to her face and head area, according to WLOX-TV.

Hickerson was arrested on homicide and robbery charges but Sheriff Mike Ezell said more charges could be added if the stabbing is reclassified.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Dee Whigham as they try to make sense of this terrible tragedy," Evan Dillard, president and CEO of Forrest Health, said, the Picayune reports. "She will be remembered at Forrest Health as an excellent nurse who was well-loved by her patients. I know Dee will be missed by her co-workers, supervisors, and the Forrest Health family."

"If this turns out to be a hate crime, we will pursue this to the fullest in court," Ezell said, according to the Times Picayune.

Whigham is the 16th trans person killed in the United States this year, according to news statistics.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with Whigham's funeral costs.

"Dee was a new graduate RN working overtime, extra shifts, and even a second job to provide for he and his mother but due to the newness of his employment his life insurance may not be readily available in time for a burial. Please assist in anyway possible so that Dee may be laid to rest in a timely manner," the page says.