River Nevaeh Goddard, a nonbinary 17-year-old, has been found dead after being missing for two years. This is another trans teen who has tragically passed away far too early.
According to GLADD, Goddard went by both their chosen name, River, and their birth name, Nevaeh. They were pansexual and nonbinary, using they and she pronouns.
Goddard was reported missing two years ago in April 2022 when they were 15 years old. They were found dead on April 3, 2024, in Stow, Massachusetts. Police were responding to a request for a welfare check on Goddard’s boyfriend, Shane Curry. The welfare check was requested by Curry’s mother after being unable to reach him for two days. Twenty-year-old Curry reportedly blocked the police from entering for two hours. When they entered Curry’s residency they found Goddard’s body.
Curry confessed to stabbing Goddard with a sword multiple times. He claims to have wanted to speak to them about cheating and drug use. When he became violent, Curry told the police, “The bruises aren’t working … hitting her, that’s not working, so OK, I have to knife her. So I do.”
Shane Curry pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery on a household or family member and assault and battery causing serious bodily injury on account of his 2020 schizophrenia diagnosis.
GLAAD comments on Goddard’s death, saying, “Politicians must stop dangerous anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation that fans the flames of hate and violence.”
They go on to say, “ Media coverage of River’s senseless death must explore the lack of support too many LGBTQ youth experience and how we all can do better for our most vulnerable and marginalized young people. River Nevaeh Goddard was failed in life, and it’s up to all of us to make sure we don’t fail them, or any other LGBTQ youth, now,” in an Instagram post.
