The transgender star of an online reality series was found beaten to death in her apartment in Fontana, Calif., on Tuesday afternoon, KNBC reported.
The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Domonique Newburn, 32, who was one of the stars of Hollywood Houseboys. The series, which can be found on YouTube, is described as “a docu-reality series that opens the doors behind the daily lives of four gay friends, their relationships and how they form their own limelight into Hollywood.”
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Officers responding to a domestic violence call found Newburn’s body around 4:30 p.m. in the 7900 block of Bennett Avenue in Fontana, which is about 45 miles from Los Angeles.
Fontana Police detective Rich Hunt told KNBC that investigators “found evidence of a struggle, inside and outside.” The coroner said Newburn suffered “blunt trauma.”
Witnesses said they saw a man in his late 20s or early 30s leaving the residence in the victim’s car, a black 2004 Mercedes Benz C240.
Hollywood Houseboys had been on hiatus since the first four episodes were filmed in 2010, but an unidentified executive producer told KNBC that Newburn had just completed a shoot for the show’s relaunch.
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Creator Ryan Hope also issued a statement.
“We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of our sister, Domonique Newburn,” he said. “Domonique was an amazing person whose spirit transcended gender. When we set out to document or lives for reality television, we never once wished to make headlines like this. Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with her family.”
