Mesha Caldwell

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

Madison County Sheriffs Office (MS)

Offense Location:

Canton, Mississippi

Summary:

Mesha Caldwell, 41, was a transgender woman and well-known hair and makeup artist in Canton, Mississippi, whose death is believed to be the first reported murder of a transgender person in the U.S. in 2017. She was killed in Canton, Mississippi on January 4th, 2017. Her homicide currently remains unsolved.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Offense:

The Madison County Sheriff's Office received a call around 3:45 pm that a body was in the road on Heindl Road near Old Yazoo Road, just outside the Canton city limits. Madison County Coroner Alex Breeland identified the body as 41-year-old Omario Caldwell, but family and friends say her name was Mesha. According to Mississippi News Now, a coroner's report listed the cause of death as "multiple gunshot wounds". Mesha was shot multiple times, although where and with what caliber of weapon is unknown.

Additional Details:

Local law enforcement is investigating Caldwell's death as a homicide but have not announced a suspect. When reached by phone for comment on Nov. 8, Madison County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Sandra Buckley said Mesha's case was still under investigation and that there were no updates. She referred further questions to the FBI. A friend and former roommate, transgender advocate Evonne Caho, told the Sun Herald that Caldwell was "a happy person who loved everyone and never met a stranger." Mesha's mother Shirley Caldwell said to reporters at a candlelight vigil in her daughter's memory: "Mesha didn't bother nobody," and "Mesha had a good heart." A vigil honoring Mesha took place in Smith Park in Jackson following her death. Attendees leaned against each other for warmth, sheltered from the January weather only by a ring of trees. Mesha's light, glitter, glamour, and kindness were remembered as mourners held bright burning candles. Her murder is Mississippi's second killing of a transgender woman in the past twelve months. In June of 2016, 25-year-old nurse Dee Whigham was murdered in Mississippi.

Case Last Updated:

Aug 18, 2026