Korean Adoptee killed by Pennsylvania Police-Adult Death

“HRC is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Maddie Hofmann, a 47-year-old transgender woman who was killed by police in Malvern, Pennsylvania on May 19, 2022. Maddie is at least the 27th transgender or gender non-conforming person violently killed in 2022. We say “at least” because too often these deaths go unreported — or misreported.

According to information found online, including a GoFundMe, “Maddie was born in Korea and raised by their adoptive family in NJ and Vermont. One of six siblings, Maddie had an especially deep bond with their younger sister, Emily, who was also adopted from Korea. Their connection grew deeper with age — and more recently in life — as they both found the language to describe the challenges they faced as transracial adoptees in NJ and Vermont in the 1980s and 90s.” Maddie is survived by their spouse, Rebecca, as well as two children and a “large extended family”.

“Anytime someone experiencing a mental health crisis is killed by the police, it is incumbent upon each of us to rededicate ourselves to transforming how our society responds to individuals with unmet mental health needs. Now, not only is a family in mourning for the loss of a beloved parent and spouse, but the LGBTQ+ community is mourning another light that has been extinguished far too soon. Maddie’s life was a light in this world,”said Tori Cooper, Director of Community Engagement for HRC’s Transgender Justice Initiative.

Maddie is the second transgender person that we know of to be killed by police in 2022. On May 19th, police were called to Maddie’s home for a “wellness check,” and found them experiencing a mental health crisis. Less than a minute after entering the home, Maddie was shot and killed. Local news articles cite police reports detailing a struggle over a firearm as justification of the shooting. The Chester County District Attorney has since claimed the police shooting to be “justified.”

HRC mourns the passing of Maddie Hofmann, transgender woman killed by police in Malvern, PA

[Human Rights Campaign 8/26/22 by Lauren Powell]

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