MUS-2026-0068
Archive card
MUS-2026-0068
Homicide
- Incident
- 2017
- Indexed
- Oct 3, 2026, by MuseUnsolved
- Agency
- Houston Police Department
- Location
- Houston TX
Public record. Index entry.
Index entry. Case details compiled from public reporting; our researchers have not verified this file yet.
Summary
What happened, as the record shows.
Brandi Seals, 26, a Black transgender woman (legal name Debarione Seals), was shot around 6 a.m. on December 13, 2017 while sitting in her car in Houston's Sunnyside neighborhood; neighbors heard six shots. She got out of the car and collapsed in the driveway of a home under construction. Police never identified a suspect and no arrest was ever made. Initial police and media coverage misgendered and deadnamed her, drawing a public apology from Houston Police Department leadership; she is recorded here by her chosen name.
Timeline
What the record establishes.
- 2017
Brandi Seals, 26, is shot around 6 a.m. on December 13 in Houston's Sunnyside neighborhood.
- 2017
HPD leadership publicly apologizes after initial coverage misgenders and deadnames her.
- 2026
Uncovered's Texas cold-cases page still lists her murder among unsolved Houston murders; no suspect identified.
Key people
The people in the file.
26, of Houston, Texas. Shot December 13, 2017 while sitting in her car.
Contact details change over time; confirm the current assignee before publishing.
Investigating agency
Where tips go.
This case is with the Houston Police Department. If you know something, say something to them. For public-record leads for our researchers, use the tip line on any open file.
Coverage
Coverage and further reading.
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