Massive outpouring of grief after missing trans teen Charlotte Fosgate confirmed dead by police

LGBTQ+ communities across the US and beyond have shared emotional tributes to missing 17-year-old transgender teen Charlotte Fosgate, after her body was found in the Willamette River in Oregon.

Content warning: This article addresses issues such as self-harm and suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

Charlotte Fosgate was first reported missing by her family on May 1, and after that, on May 4, officials from Oregon’s Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office put out a missing persons report asking for help in locating her.

Rolling Stone reports that her family thought she might be suffering from mental health issues. Charlotte was a well known and popular member of the Sonic modding community where she went by the username Charcoal.

Her last post on X (formerly Twitter) was taken on a bridge and showed a picture of the Portland skyline with the words “its a pretty view” and one more tweet: “Long way down.” 

On May 27, tweets began to circulate stating that she had been found dead. On May 31, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the news in a press release titled: “Missing teen from Oak Grove located deceased.” 

The grim update put an end to weeks of desperate searching, much of it coordinated online by members of the LGBTQ+ community. A public Facebook page dedicated to the hunt for Charlotte was renamed “Remembering Charlotte Fosgate” after her death was confirmed, with police stating they believed it to be suicide.

In the news vacuum between the missing person’s report being circulated at the start of May, and news of Charlotte’s death being confirmed at the end of the month, internet trolls began to take an interest in the case: mocking and belittling Charlotte and those who were searching for her.

Her final tweet, the image taken on the bridge, was flooded with cruel replies and vile transphobic statements. “A child took her life and the comments are full of right-wingers mocking her death,” said one user. “Conservatives are genuinely such disgustingly cruel, depraved monsters. It makes me sick,” they continued.

“We really only have ourselves”

However, LGBTQ+ communities across the internet have banded together to counter the hate-filled attacks, making digital memorials where people can leave their positive memories and good wishes.

Rolling Stone spoke to several people involved in making these digital memorials to Charlotte Fosgate. One person said: “Since the trans community [is] so small, and there aren’t many people who care about us, we really only have ourselves, and when that number lessens, it really hits hard. She was only 17. That’s a year younger than me, so that hits close to home.” 

A trans girl named Luna posted a tribute to Charlotte on Reddit, encouraging others to leave their own blessings, memories, and thoughts in the comments. “I wanted her to be remembered in a positive light. I hate how so many suicide victims end up just being another number to people. It’s dehumanizing. I want people to remember that there’s a name behind those numbers.”

“It’s okay to be hurting. It’s okay to feel lost, confused, or sad. What matters most is that you don’t carry it alone,” a family friend wrote on the “Remembering Charlotte Fosgate” Facebook page.

“If you are struggling with your mental health or have heavy feelings you don’t understand—please speak up. Talk to a parent, a teacher, a counselor, or someone you trust. There is help, there is hope, and there are people who care deeply about you.

“Charlotte’s life mattered. And so does yours.”

Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). ​Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.