Five days ago Brandi Bledsoe, a 32-year-old transgender woman, was found dead on a driveway in Cleveland in only her underwear with plastic bags over her head and hands.

The body was discovered by a 5-year-old boy who was out riding his bike with his 12-year-old brother.

Police have disclosed that Brandi suffered head trauma. They also initially misgendered the victim.

Her death is a suspected homicide, but the medical examiner has not offered an official ruling on how she died.

Investigators will take her transgender status into consideration in the investigation. The investigation is in its early stages and it's too early to determine of motive for Bledsoe's death.

--Cleveland police spokesman Jennifer Ciaccia

Brandi began transitioning two years ago.

She wasn't very outgoing before she told us. She just wasn't happy with who she was. When she told us, she was honestly a lot better as Brandi. She was happy.

--John Craggett, cousin

We got a long great when she lived with me. I wish she was around more after she moved out.

--Johnnie Ledbetter, grandfather

Brandi grew up in Nebraska, but moved to Cleveland hoping for a better life.

She recently moved out of her grandfather's home and into her own place.

She was really independent. A lot of opportunities opened up for her. She was looking for freedom..

--Craggett

Bledsoe worked at a local Home Depot and was an animation artist.

She was really beautiful. She was really sweet and nice. That's what bugs the crap out of me about this. Whoever did this can rot in hell.

--Craggett

If Brandi's death is officially ruled a homicide, this will be the 23rd murder or suspicious death of a transgender person in the United States this year. Twenty-one transgender Americans were murdered last year, which was a record.