Diamond Williams was murdered in 2013, then dismembered and dumped in a field in North Philly.

Charles Sargent used a hatchet and screw driver to cut her up before throwing her away. He goes on trial next year for the murder.

Helen Ubiñas writes at philly.com that Diamond's journey at long last is nearing an end.

For two years, her remains sat in the Medical Examiner's Office. And for two years, I called her grandmother hoping that she or someone in the family would claim her.

Diamond was cremated about year ago.

No one did. And when it became clear that no matter how many times I called, it was unlikely anyone would, I called on GALAEI, a queer Latino social-justice organization in North Philly. It's coincidentally located on Diamond Street.

Would they claim her? I asked.

They reacted so fast, I barely beat Naiymah Sanchez to the Medical Examiner's Office on University Avenue on Friday.

I just think it's our moral responsibility.

--Sanchez

While we sat inside the medical examiner's building, Sanchez recalled talking with Williams during her outreach work a few weeks before she was killed. Sanchez gave her a hygiene kit, some condoms and a standing offer to help her get services to get off the streets and off drugs.

Diamond's grandmother insisted on calling her by her birth name. She didn't like Diamond, let alone love her. She's a religious woman who is conflicted.

Grief. Guilt. Confusion. Denial.

Sanchez carefully wrapped the black plastic box containing Diamond in a transgender-pride flag. It was labeled with her dead name, which seemed to bother ME's assistant. He suggested they could probably get that changed by petitioning the court.

Diamond now sits on a second-floor mantel at GALAEI, alongside photos of trans women who have died...next to a photo of Keisha Jenkins.

Sanchez and co-worker Deja Alvarez are talking with a local funeral home about either buying a plot to bury Williams' remains or buying spaces inside a mausoleum. Sanchez said that option comes with three spaces, and although it is slightly more expensive, it would allow them to find a home for any other transgender people who might not have relatives or might have been rejected by them. To make a donation, please contact either Sanchez or Alvarez at 267-457-3912.

Why?

Times change. People change.

Years from now, Diamond's family might have a change of heart, she said. If they do, they will have a place to visit her.

--Helen Ubiñas