A Michigan man has pleaded guilty in the killing of a transgender woman whose body was discovered behind a laundromat in Highland Park last summer, bringing a significant development in a case that prosecutors say was fueled by violence and bias.
Police say the victim, 28-year-old Christina Hayes, was found dead on June 21, 2025, behind a laundromat located in the 17600 block of Woodward Avenue in Highland Park, a city just north of Detroit. Officers were dispatched to the scene around 3:00 p.m. after receiving a report of a deceased person in the alley behind the business.
When authorities arrived, they discovered Hayes with severe injuries to her neck and face. Investigators later determined that she had been strangled.
According to prosecutors, Hayes had encountered a man in the area who offered her money in exchange for sexual acts. During the encounter, officials said the man realized Hayes was transgender. Investigators allege that the discovery triggered a violent confrontation that ended with Hayes being strangled.
Authorities say the suspect then robbed Hayes, taking back the money he had given her along with her cellphone and shoes before leaving the scene.
The case began to unravel when investigators reviewed surveillance footage from nearby businesses. Police said the footage allegedly showed the suspect attempting to sell Hayes’ cellphone at a kiosk, providing a critical lead in the investigation.
That evidence eventually led to the arrest of 18-year-old Malique Javon Fails, who was taken into custody on August 15, 2025.
Prosecutors initially charged Fails with felony murder, larceny from a person, and committing a hate crime involving gender identity bias.
However, on March 2, 2026, Fails entered a guilty plea as part of a negotiated agreement with prosecutors. Under the plea deal, he admitted to second-degree murder and committing a hate crime involving force causing bodily injury, stalking, or property damage. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed the more severe charges, including first-degree murder.
Fails is scheduled to be sentenced on March 24, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.
The killing has drawn attention to the ongoing violence faced by transgender individuals in the United States. Advocacy groups have repeatedly warned that transgender women — particularly those of color — face disproportionately high rates of violence.
Authorities have not indicated whether any additional individuals are connected to the case. Sentencing next month will determine how long Fails will spend behind bars for Hayes’ death.
