Bianca Giselle Davenport Starr, a 35-year-old African American drag performer, was tragically killed on December 8, 2017, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was well-known in the LGBTQIA community and had won titles such as Miss Dallas Pride 2017 and Miss Texas State At Large 2017. Bianca, who performed under the stage name Jason Bradley, was shot in her Fort Worth home by an unknown gunman.
Her roommate, London Starr, was also injured in the shooting and was transported to Harris Methodist Hospital in critical condition.
The incident was initially thought to be a possible robbery gone wrong. Fort Worth police arrested 26-year-old Fayaka Dunbar on December 13, 2017, charging him with capital murder in connection with Bianca's death. Dunbar was held in Mansfield Jail on a $100,000 bail. The police spokesperson indicated that the incident did not appear to be a hate crime.
The LGBTQIA community and Bianca's friends and family mourned her loss, describing her as a talented performer with a personality that lit up any room. The drag 'sisterhood' felt a significant loss but also gained an extraordinary angel, as Bianca's impact on the community was profound.
The case drew attention to the violence faced by drag performers and the need for increased safety measures. Bianca's death was the second murder of a drag performer in Texas within a few months, highlighting the risks associated with the profession.
The investigation into Bianca's murder continued, with the community hoping for justice and closure for her family and friends.
