The bodies of a Houston lesbian couple were found in Port Bolivar, in Galveston County, according to that town's police. KTRK News said police believe they were murdered.
Please see March 13 update to this story at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Father-of-one-victim-arrested-in-Texas-double-murder-case/46614.html .
Crystal Jackson, 24, had a 5-year-old daughter, Zaniah. Her girlfriend Brittany Cosby was also 24, and they were a couple since Feb. 24, 2012. (Cosby's first name has been listed in several ways by media and on Facebook: Britney, Brittney and Brittany.)
They reportedly had gone to Galveston for Mardi Gras.
Police have released a sketch of the suspect, posted here: elixher.com/suspect-sketch-released-in-murder-of-texas-lesbian-couple/ .
Jackson was a security guard, and Cosby worked at Starbucks.
The women both had active Facebook pages. Cosby's is listed as Itain'tez Bnbreeze Cosby and Jackson's is Rainbow Barbie. They shared photos of family and friends, and on Jackson's page, people posted the wanted poster for the suspect, as well as heartfelt wishes for the families of those killed.
One poster wrote: "Talked to the family of Rainbow Barbie they are ruling it robbery and targeted for sexuality. ... On behalf of the Chicago LGBT we extend our hearts and prayers to them and [their] families."
Reverend Ivan Jackson, father of Crystal, told Fox News in Houston: "I barely found out yesterday morning but I forgive whoever did it but let God take his course."
Cosby's Facebook page said she was in the class of 2010 at the Texas School of Business, and class of 2008 for University Park Academy. Jackson's page said she worked at Vinson Guard Service and the MCA, the Motor Club of America. She was in the 2009 class at Everest Institute.
In a Feb. 24 post, Jackson wrote this to her girlfriend: "I will like to take the time out and to say Happy Anniversary to me nd bae. Today makes 2 yeaes since me and my bear been together. We been threw alot, but yet we stayed strong. I love you bae and only you, no matter who gots anything to say about it, im always going to be here. Now go run nd tell that lol. — feeling lovely with Itain'tez Bnbreeze Cosby."
Equality Texas issued a statement urging the Department of Justice and local law enforcement in Port Bolivar, Texas to continue investigating the deaths of the couple. The motive of the murders remains unclear.
"Equality Texas is deeply saddened by this murder and our hearts and prayers are with Ms. Cosby's and Ms. Jackson's family and friends during this difficult time," said Equality Texas executive director Chuck Smith. "For many in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community this is a stark reminder that nearly a third of Texas' hate crimes are motivated by bias against sexual orientation. A report issued last year my the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs found that 73.1% of all anti-LGBT homicide victims in 2012 were people of color."
"I have faith that the Galveston County Sheriff's department is working hard to bring closure to this senseless tragedy and will work with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Department of Justice to fully investigate," Smith said.
Anyone with information regarding the victims' deaths or the stolen vehicle is asked to call the Galveston County Sheriff's Office tip line at 866-248-8477.
GetEqual Texas is organizing a vigil, and a member of the group started a crime stopper reward fund here: (www.indiegogo.com/projects/crime-stoppers-reward-fund .
There is a Facebook page also posted for friends and family to share together: www.facebook.com/pages/RIP-Brittany-Crystal/268982479928225 .
More details are available here: abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story .
Also here: www.myfoxhouston.com/story/24924493/2014/03/09/family-prepares-funeral-1women-found-dead-port-bolivar .
