Miss Trans America Pageant Founder Murdered In Her Home
Jan. 10 2018, Published 2:36 p.m. ET
The founder of the Miss Trans America and Miss Trans New England pageants became the first transgender person to be murdered this year when her husband allegedly hit her with a hammer and stabbed her to death.
According to reports, Christa Leigh Steele-Knudslien, 42, was slain in the Adams, Mass., home she shared with Mark Steele-Knudslien after the two got into an argument on the evening of Jan. 5.
Mark, 47, went to police and confessed he "snapped" during the fight with Christa, did "something very bad" and should be handcuffed, noted a police report later filed in Northern Berkshire District Court.
"He stated he killed Christa by striking her numerous times with a hammer and then finally killed her by stabbing her in the back with a large knife," read the report. "Steele-Knudslien later wrapped Christa's body in a tarp and moved her to the basement, which is where the body could be found."
Officers who processed the murder scene noted evidence supported Mark's story, and an autopsy later revealed Christa bled to death as a result of the injuries she suffered in the attack.
Before her death, Christa hinted she and Mark had gone through a rough patch.
"My husband and I are going to try to work things out," she wrote on Facebook in January 2017.
Mark, who is being held without bail, pleaded not guilty and has a court appearance scheduled for Feb. 7.
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