Philadelphia Man Convicted First-Degree Murder of Trans Woman Dominique Fells

Akhenaton Jones was convicted of first-degree murder, possession of an instrument of crime, and abuse of a corpse for the brutal 2020 killing of Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells, a 27-year-old Black transgender woman, in Philadelphia. Fells was stabbed over 40 times, dismembered, and her remains were dumped in the Schuylkill River, a crime that brought national attention to violence against transgender women of color. Witnesses testified that Fells was last seen entering Jones' bedroom the night she was killed, and evidence including blood spatter, a knife, an electric saw, and surveillance footage linked Jones to the crime. Jones fled to California but was arrested in Los Angeles and extradited back to Philadelphia. Despite the conviction, the motive remains unclear, and Jones intends to appeal the verdict. The case has energized advocacy for transgender rights and justice, with Fells’ family emphasizing her life mattered and pledging to honor her memory.