This is as bizarre a story as it gets. I been able to collect this material from different source sources online. But here it goes.
Gwen Araujo, who at that time went by the name “Lida”, was introduced to a circle of friends whom she met during a chance encounter while walking down a local street. The group of young adults enjoyed passing the evening hours with party activities that included playing dominoes and consuming drugs and alcohol at the home of Araujo’s to-be assailants.
A few weeks later, she was invited back to the house where a party was planned. Before leaving for the party, Gwen had an argument with her mother over the attire. This was the last time Sylvia Guerrero saw her child alive.
At the party on October 3, 2002 it was discovered, by forced inspection (conducted by Nicole Brown, a young woman at the party), that Araujo had male genitalia, following which the men that she had had sexual relations with became extremely agitated. Once it was discovered that Araujo was biologically male, Mike Magidson began choking her in the hallway of the house.
At this point numerous guests left the residence. Jose Merel and Jaron Nabors remained inside the residence with Mike Magidson. Jason Cazares claimed to go outside at this point; however he did not leave because he had arrived in Mike Magidson’s truck. After everyone left, the three assailants continued assaulting Araujo. She was brutally beaten for about 5 hours.
Jose Merel struck her over the head with a frying pan and then struck again with a can of tomatoes, causing a gash to her head which bled profusely. Mike Magidson kneed her in the head against the living room wall, with such force that her head caused an indentation in the plaster wall. After this, Araujo was taken to the garage of the home and strangled with a rope. Most accounts have Jose Merel cleaning blood out of the carpet at the time she was strangled.
She was then hog-tied, wrapped in a blanket and placed in the bed of a pick-up truck. The three assailants, plus Jason Cazares drove her body to parkland in El Dorado County, California, a wooded area in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada known as Silver Fork, where she was finally buried in a shallow grave.
It is not clear at what point during this sequence of events Araujo’s death occurred. However, the autopsy showed that she died from strangulation associated with blunt force trauma to the head.
Indeed a sad story but I think the beatings and strangulation was too much and really unwarranted. Stuff happens but in this case Gwen Araujo paid an extremely heavy price.
A youtube video dedication to Gwen Araujo, check it out below and leave your comments.
Sylvia, take comfort in the fact that Gwen touched many lives for the better, just by being who she was. A lot of people can live to be 100, and never accomplish anything good. But Gwen, in her very short life, touched millions with her story. You must be very proud of her. I am positive God is proud of her too. It’s a cruel world, and sometimes I wonder why God doesn’t just give up on mankind. But then someone like Gwen shows me how beautiful a person can be, and then I know why.
I admire Gwen for having the courage and strength of character to be the woman she is. I wish I could be more like her. (I say “is” because I know Gwen is still alive. Her body may have died, but angels like Gwen will live forever).
I have watched this movie several times with my 14 year old daughter. I am raising 3 children to be opened minded and love themselves for who they are. I cried when I first watched this movie some time ago. Everytime it comes on I cry.
Until you are in the same shoes of a person, you will NEVER understand. I have a 4 year old son and I am noticing that he has some of the same traits as Gwen (when he/she was younger). Everything is identical. There are so many questions I have for Gwens’ mother (Sylvia Guerrero) . I’m confused but Iam also understanding. The only difference is my sons’ father. We are married and live in the same house. I have bought it to his attention but he ignores me everytime or he gets angry.
To Sylvia Guerrero:
Everytime I watch the movie, I wonder if you would’ve done something different, would Gwen be alive today. I use to get a little upset at the beginning of the movie (his/her younger years growing up)until I found myself reacting the same way you did. I am confused, I even wonder sometimes if my son is going through a phase or is he just hanging around mommie so much that he picks up and notices everything I do. He notices everything, from me getting my nails done (complimenting) to me buying a new dress (complimenting). He notices my eyemake-up, he even alarms me when it’s time for a pedicure. He’s only 4! Iam reaching out to you. This is not a joke, a prank or what ever. I will check back periodically, but I will like to speak with you.
I WONDER WILL YOUR SON BECOME LIKE GWEN.I HOPE HE DOSN’T BECAUSE HE JUST MIGHT GET KILLED JUST LIKE GWEN/EDDIE.AND I WONDER WHAT YOUR SON NAME WOULD BE IF HE BECAME A GIRL.MAN I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT ALL OF THIS.CONTROL YOUR SON.CONTROL HIM/HER.
To “NUNYA”: Just as you had no choice over the gender you were born, so it is with transgendered people. If you were born with brown hair, how effective would it have been if your parents were to have told you “just stop letting your hair grow in brown”? You cannot change who you truely are. You cannot just stop believing what you know in your heart to be true. It is not a parents job to “CONTROL”. It is their job to love, protect, support, and teach. A parent should teach a child to be kind, generous, & understanding. It is a shame that your parents didn’t instill these qualities in you.
I am a Trans Woman. I had no choice in how I was born. Is being born a crime? How about we victimise people with Blonde hair? You can choose whether or not to be full of hate. One day you will have a child, and someone somewhere will hate them for something, regardless of how irrelevant. Do you think that is OK? Children should never be ashamed of who they are, so stop tacitly condoning hate.
YOU ARE SO WRONG STOP FOOLING YOURSELF GO TO CHURCH ASK GOD TO HELP YOU YOU HAVE A BOY NOT A GIRL GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES HE DOES NOT PUT A GIRL IN A BOY BODY THERE’S A REASON HE WAS BORN A BOY THAT’S BECAUSE HE IS!!!!!!!!!!!!I THINK IS IN BOOK OF LEVITICUS LOOK IT UP IN YOUR BIBLE THEN PRAY!
Lambert, your day of judgement will come, and I can only hope that your god will judge you as harshly as you have judged others.
Lambert, your day of judgement will come, & I can only hope that your god will judge you as harshly as you have judged others.
VERY WELL SAID LEO!!
“GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES” — you are blinded by your own faith. There are no mistakes in the pool of life you fool. There is variation. If there is a God, then I can assure you, transsexual people are of God. Variation = different hair colour, different eye colour, different skin colour. Life is a continuum. If you truly believed in a God you would see that. And yes, I AM calling your faith into question. So long as you hate, God hates you.
I think people judge because they are ignorant. Does the Bible not say LOVE THY NEIGHBOR? For sure Lambert you are NOT loving thy neighbor, I think Leo said it just as if God would say it to you. “Your Day of judgement will come!”. I am a lesbian and I know the difficulty of living a life as someone who is not seen as being “normal”. God made me this way, just like God made Eddie to be Gwen. Lambert it’s because of people like you that there is hate, violence and criminals! My family will pray for you so that you may see good in ALL of GOD’S creations.
Gwen was my niece. If you haven’t been able to contact my sister already, you can reach her by going to Gwen’s official mySpace page http://www.myspace.com/gwenaraujo
Gwen’s sister, Pearl, runs the site. My sister will be more than happy to talk with you, give you advice or just plain and simple lend an ear to listen.
As a parent, it is engrained in our hearts to always protect your child. First and foremost, LOVE and SUPPORT your child. As you already know…your child will have a tough battle ahead because people are still ignorant. For Gwen’s and many other people like Gwen…ignorance turned to violence.
Your child is a gift above all. Do not despair, there is plenty of support groups and organizations that can help you and your child walk this path. I am not sure if you are religious…but I firmly believe that your “higher power” has made you his/her mom for a reason. Make no mistake…it is not a burden…it is a GIFT.
HE I repeat HE did not deserve to die the way HE did but HE lied to people. Its in the Bible this is wrong He was Eddie not Gwen! If i was HIS mother I would have got HIM some help Instead HE was let to live this lie. I blame the boys that killed him but HIS mother is just as much to blame. You need to stop this thing you are doing! Its not ok to be Gay its wrong very wrong!God loves all his people but unless you trust in him and him along you are lost!
God also says DO NOT JUDGE>>>>You need to go back to church…AND mind your own business..Do you think what you have to say actually matters to Gwens mom!!! She learned to love and accept her DAUGHTER for who she was..I feel sorry for your children!!! And May god have peace on them! God loves all his children…NO MATTER WHAT…I don’t know what church you attend..But MY God is forgiving and loves us all!! It’s people like you that drive people away from religion!!!
…so…I guess what you’re saying is that God created a mistake when sending Gwen to us? She’s heard your remark a million times…THANKFULLY…she KNOWS the truth. You words do not even phase her. She knows Gwen is God’s child and she was honored to be her mother.
I will pray for your children and YOU.
My stepbrother is homosexual. My stepmother was in major denial even though my family (strict Catholic) family knew that he was gay. She put it off for years. She knew he was gay and when he came “out” his brother and my stepmother were not happy. It took my strict “Catholic family” or “military family” to say “Hey we accept you “ALL” for who you are because we love you”.
How dare you blame it on the mother?
“God loves all his people but unless you trust in him and him along you are lost!” (Lambert July 9, 2009 at 2:53 pm)
You have the “God loves all his people correct.” I do not beleive there is a “but”
“MY God is forgiving and loves us all!! It’s people like you that drive people away from religion!!!” (Do not judge – July 12, 2009 at 6:42 pm)
Do not judge is is right on!!! I know to many people that just scare the Lord away from us and our children.
STOP!!
The lord forgives us for our sins. The Lord “Jesus Christ” hung on the cross for our sins. He has already paid for our sins “present, future, and past” Be grateful!! and thankful!!
it’s so sad to see that Lambert is still so ignorant to God’s Love. I fear for all people who try to play God and judge others.
IGNORANCE all you “bible thumpers” is the root of all evil. Let the one with out sin cast the first stone. Now go and sit in judgement on your selves.
Sorry, I’m not a “bible thumper”, but ignorant and insensitive people just piss me off. The “thumper’s” need to take a long hard look in the mirror. (I was just trying to make a point..no one’s perfect). If everyone’s family was “perfect”…then who would we talk about at Christmas!
Jeez, I think I sent a reply to (Sheryl)…OMG…I said I’m no “Bible thumper”, but people that wave it around and act like they’re families are so perfect just piss me off. I agree with you, some of these people (”good Christian folk”) are fooling themselves … They’re day is comin’, and it won’t be pretty!
Real “Christians” don’t spit on others, they just roll with it, it’s not out job to hit people in the head with the “word”. And, they need to take a long look in the mirror, before they start criticizing others. If everyone had a “perfect” family, what would you talk about at Christmas?
I am sorry for your loss, she was a very beautiful young woman. I am sure she is deeply missed. I can tell she was very loved. Your family is in our family’s prayers.
why did those BOYS!!! only care about s.ex. they had wifes and children, and yet they care about cheating on a 17 year old. Being some of them fathers, it would take a real moron to kill a child.
its a wrongful death.
What is wrong with this world when people throw stones at any one that does not fit in the “box”? And have the audacity to speak of God’s plan, have you met God? If you know your scripture so well, and are a “Christian”, then you should know God is ALL KNOWING, ALL SEEING, and HE makes NO mistakes. Jesus spoke of “Love, Tolerance and WE ARE ALL ONE in the EYES of THE ONE TRUE FATHER”. Make no mistake, as God has made none…HE has a PLAN for everyone. If you do not believe this, you will fall and The Lord cannot teach you anything else…for you will never learn.
The family of this “child” Gwen has suffered greatly, but their Faith has kept them strong.
As a child, I saw a young mother struggle with an extremely difficult decision. She drove our school bus for a Catholic school and was very devote. I was the 1st and last stop on her route, she had a beautiful blonde haired, blue eyed 3yr old “daughter”. The child was a delight, but the mother was troubled. The baby had been born a “morphodite” (a baby with both male and female organs). She had to decide what gender to have the surgeon make this child. The woman prayed and cried for God’s help. She decided (I learned years later) the child had turned into a beautiful young woman. Only God, could have helped the young mother with such a horrific decision…
So judge not the lives of others, and never forget that GOD and only GOD has made HIS decision from the beginning. Only the ignorant will try to judge..it is not your place, one day YOU will be judged, and you may not like the outcome. So, follow the path of righteousness, as you never know what can happen in the blink of an eye…only GOD has that privilege.
i strongly believe that god didnt put your son in the wrong body. god is perfect and the supreme creator so he didnt make a mistake we are all carefully and uniquely designed. not just off of a whim!
when you saw signs of your son behaving like a girl,dont take it lightly. you need to read the bible pray to god and show him the reason what he is doing is wrong. he or she was not born in the wrong body and was a boy or girl for a reason. i believe it was an extreme sin to let him become transgender and be named “gwen”.however it isnt completely HIS fault.but this is a serious bible sin.like everyone elso however he does have rights and shouldnt be killed or ridiculed however failure to be bible trained resulted in his change of persona and even being called a SHE!!
I am sorry but it is narrow minded people like you that are wrong with our world today. God has nothing to do with someone’s genetic make up it is science not religion. Your DNA and Chromosomes make up are what make you physically a boy or a girl…it’s which sperm cell gets there first not what God decides to send the stork with. Come on people get a clue!!
The part of the bible that you all seem to forget is that “God” loves all creatures…and he tells you not to judge other unless you yourself wish to be judged. No one has the right to pass judgment on another person and if you were such a “God” following person you would know this. Have you ever considered that “God” may have put these wonderful and caring people on this earth to try and educate and open up the minds of people like you? That this is a challenge not for them, but for you to see how you will treat and except others and care for them whether they are different or not, or will you pass judgment and condemn them? Just remember one day you will be judged by the higher power of “God” and he will be looking at everything you have done with your life good and bad…including the passing of unearned judgment on others. What makes you feel like you have this right? “God” has told us that he wants us all to live in his shadow and by his example…so I will say to you again “God” loves and excepts all creatures…so shouldn’t you?
I applaud Gwen Araujo for standing up and not being ashamed of the beautiful intelligent young women that she was! And to her family for their understanding and sharing of her story to help other hopefully be as accepting and understanding one day. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers!!
I want to thank you for sharing your daughter’s story with us. The first time I seen her testimony, I really broke down. I am happy to know that I have an angel like your daughter to watch over me. I have never experienced what she endured, but I too came out at a young age. I am a 28 yr old lesbian, one with many masculine ways and even look. I was diagnosed with sexual identity crisis when I was 13… It only makes me laugh at how people can be ignorant. I am a writer and I have a couple of projects going, including my own testimony…. I will keep your beautiful family in prayer, let’s all try to make the place as beautiful as God intended it to be.
I am sorry Lambert… But u are very ignorant!! GOD LOVES ALL OF US NO MATTER WHAT… Now I think u should read the BIBLE more CAREFULLY, and maybe go to CHURCH and PRAY YOURSELF!!!
I have a 4 year old male family member and he is the same way. We just let him know that there are certain items that are meant for the female gender and others for male. Don’t make a big deal with him about it. As mothers, we tend to overreact because we care so much.
One has to be a parent who loves their children to understand what mothers mainly go through when one of their children are struggling with a challenge, whether it is behavioral, emotional, mental. You don’t want to wash you hands of them, however, it can be draining to deal with the issues, questions, police visits. Be strong and don’t give up on your child, unless your environment becomes unsafe.
My heart goes out to Ms. Araujo, she had to see all of this happen and I know how painful it is, especially when one does not know what to do to help your child, and anything you do,does not seem to help him….we all have to carry some type of burden. That is why Jesus died for us on the cross. To help with our humanely crap.
I am a Christian and very involved in my church. We are taught and supposed to teach love, support, and forgiveness.
What this poor young person went through is awful, tragic, heartbreaking and horrifying. Gwen was a human being with a heart and feelings just like God intended. Gwen’s family’s hearts must hurt just the same as if we were to lose someone. Have you ever thought that just maybe people like Gwen were put here to test OUR faith and love and forgiveness?
But do you know what is staggering? It’s the amount of “Christians” who are the very FIRST one’s to judge, yes judge, someone else’s decisions, and actions. It is appauling. Take one moment and step back and think about just how perfect you are. Would all of us Christians feel comfortable with eveyine looking in on our private lives?
This child had a more courage than we could ever think of having. But of course most who are God fearing look past the heart and courage and jump straight into the judgement and opinion line. Shame on us!
I am writing this to all you people who like to throw bible scriptures and Our Father’s name around trying to push your beliefs of what is right and wrong onto others.
First of all I am a transgendered person and coming from someone who knows first hand what Gwen has had to go through in HER life. You people act and assume that we have a CHOICE in the way we are, I did not choose to be this way and neither did Gwen, why would you assume that anyone would want to go through life being harrassed all the time for the way that they ARE. At very young ages where you don’t know the first thing about sex and sexual orientation you just know that you are either more boylike or girl like. Gwen had the mind of a woman and the body of a man, if you people do your research you would see that it is caused by a CHEMICAL IMBALANCE during development in the womb. No GOD does not make mistakes but Gwen was born that way because that was the path that GOD had chosen for her to take, we all have certain lives to live and if you can really say that you are a believer then you would know that our life paths are chosen before we are even conceived. GOD IS ALL KNOWING. And unlike the majority of you people GOD is also forgiving and understanding. HE WHO HAS NO SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE. And there is NO ONE in this world who has not sinned, so fix your sins before you start to talk about someone elses so-called sins. Gwen was a beautiful young woman and person who deserved just as much as anyone else to live HER life the way that made her happy. Who are you to keep someone from being happy, and living the way they feel comfortable, she was not hurting anyone in her descisions to be herself. We are all people and what business is it of anyone who someone decides to be intimate with. We all deserve to be happy. So just LIVE AND LET LIVE people.
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO JUDGE ARE THOSE WHO GO TO CHURCH AND THINK THAT IS IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE OUR CREATOR IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO SAYS WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG NO ONE ELSE THEY REALLY NEED TO STOP TAKE A GOOD LOOK AROUND A RECOGNIZE WHAT WORLD WE LIVE IN. KIDS THESE DAYS CAN BE REALLY CRUEL AND I CAN UNDERSTAND CUS THEY KNOW NO BETTER BUT TO BE A GROWN ADULT AND STILL HAVE THAT HATE IN YOUR THERE HEART WELL GOD HAVE MERCY….THANK YOU
JADE, I COULDNT HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF!!! YOU ARE TOTALLY RIGHT! AS I SAID BEFORE I HAVE A NEPHEW THAT IS GAY, AND HE ONCE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS BORN THAT WAY, AND HE ALSO SAID TO ME, “WHO WANTS TO BE THIS WAY, AND BE HARRASED AND RIDICULED?” THE SAME THING THAT YOU SAID! GOD BLESS YOU SWEETHEART!
Everyone needs to stop throwing God into all this…God loves us all..NO MATTER WHAT!!! If you do not know that..READ THE BIBLE!!! What happend to Gwen was awfull, and wrong! If anyone here thinks she was Just g.ay and confused, there is scientific proof that transgender is a REAL condition!!! Do the research!!! Is’nt that what the web is for…NOT to bash this poor family…And others like it!! Leave it alone…Get a life!! Go back to church…If you have one!!
Look for all you people who are blinded and stupid you all really need to open your eyes becauses Gwens story was to teach you to not judge and she may have been born a man but that doesn’t make her not gods child for feeling deeply about who she really was. Who are we as people to judge those when we are selves are not perfect at all. This girl died being who she was and not caring or backing down because someone thought little of her she showed more love then most people do and didn’t deserve to die. And for those who talk little of her and try to throw the bible thing are sinning for being the judge that you are not. In the end you will not have a say in other peoples lives you be the one who is judged. As for Gwens mom you are my insperation because I can only imagine how hard it was to finally realize who your daughter really was and then to have to lose her for who she was. This world needs more people like her and don’t let anyone put you down because if they haven’t experienced what you went through and are going through they will never really know.
Dear Sylvia,
You are an inspirational mother! You had a strong and beautiful daugther and she not deserved to died in that way. You and your daugther didn’t do anything wrong! She assumes her real natture with lot of courage, sha was a warrior, like you are. God bless you both!
All men kill your child are really monsters!
Sorry for my English, it’s not my language I’m from Mexico y speack Spanish!..Your story touch my heart deeply!
I am truly sorry for your loss. I just saw the movie and it was tragic, I can’t believe people bring religion in this matter. She was a beautiful young woman and I am sorry that it happened to your family. Please know that God loved Gwen and not everybody feels that way.
I am just in total AWE about this whole situation, I just can’t believe that people can do such terrible things to another “HUMAN BEING”!! I watched this movie about Gwen for the 1st time today (10/03/09) and the movie prompted me to do more research about Gwen’s tragic story on the internet. I have a nephew that is gay, and just the thought of someone harming him has me terrified! My heart goes out to Gwen and her family… I am so, so, sorry for your tragic loss, my heart goes way out to you! I am literally in tears right now… R.I.P. GWEN!!!!
I just watched the movie on Gwen’s life, and I have to say that she lived her short life to fullest. She loved the people around her and they loved her. That is the number one thing that our parents tried to teach us. That is what God teaches us!! He gave His only Son for what? Wait for it…LOVE! Like others have said, don’t judge people, because one day it will be your turn. Are you ready?! My heart goes out to Gwen’s family and friends. WWJD, What Would Jesus Do?!
i seen this movie today on the lifetime network, it was very touching. as i watched it i realized i was reacting the same way at the actors. the murder should of never happended or thought of, just because of jelousley and hate. i dont judge anyone in anyway, and dont think anyone else should. i just watched the youtube video thats on here and gwen was a very beautiful person. my thoughts and prayers go out to the family and every person who dares to be different. live life the way you want, and nevermind the “normal” people.
R.I.P GWEN you will always be missed
I like many others just got done watching the true movie story on lifetime about Gwen, it touched my heart and soul. I admire her courage it takes to alot of strength to realize who you truly are and live life ok with that. God bless Gwen and her family.
Ignorance will never leave this world, but there is a lot of love and understanding to go around and be shared.
Thank you to the family of Gwen for sharing yours and her story.
Thanks
Ashley
i just watch the movie today and i couldnt stop criying i dont go to church i believe in god and that he work in misterious ways i dont believe is ok to tell a mom that just lost her baby that she will burn in hell cuz u r not the one that make that decision and after all bible was writen by a man how do we know it wasnt changed? that theres some info missing. in there?we just have to wait in the meantime dont judge the person nxt to u God love us all thats why Jesus die for us and that why he forget u u just have to ask for it cuz He loves us all we r not perfect and he knows that if u r such a hater dont leave comment cuz is not constructive that why SHE died cus close minded people
and God will not want any of us to die and suffer like that .will u be ok ur son suffer like that cuz hes different i dont think so
i just saw the movie on LMN sorry for your loss .