Photo: George Pachantouris/Getty Images
<p>A Black LGBTQ+ teenager named Deandre Matthews was found dead in Brooklyn earlier this month, and his family is demanding answers in the wake of the tragedy.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Deandre Sustained Gunshot Injuries &; &#8216;Burn Wounds&#8217;</h3>
<p>The19-year-old&#8217;s body was found on railroad tracks back on Feb. 7, according to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna71583" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>NBC News</em></a>. Authorities note that he was found unresponsive at around 4 p.m. with &#8220;significant burn wounds&#8221; all throughout his body, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.</p>
<p>Additionally, Deandre was found to have sustained &#8220;gunshot wounds of the head with perforation of the skull and brain.&#8221;</p>
<p>As a result, the case has been classified as a homicide, and the matter is still under investigation.</p>
<h3 class="endmarkEnabled" style="text-align: center;">The Teen Never Returned Home After Borrowing His Mom&#8217;s Car</h3>
<p>Danielle Matthews, Deandre&#8217;s mother, notes that she had last seen her son the day before, as he asked to borrow her car at around 5:45 p.m.</p>
<p>However, after discovering that both her car and son weren&#8217;t home by 2:30 a.m., Danielle knew something was wrong. She was ultimately able to track her car down, though the back seat was badly burned Deandre was nowhere in sight.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I then located my car about 3:30 a.m. with a tracking system on my car because I have a new car. I located my car. I called the police. They came. My car was burnt, and from there I knew my son was gone.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>Deandre&#8217;s corpse was found that afternoon, which &#8220;was not something [the family] expected.&#8221;</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">The Family Speculates It May Have Been A Hate Crime</h3>
<p>In the aftermath of the tragedy, Deandre&#8217;s family is left searching for answers as they honor his memory.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;He was just a beautiful soul. He was a great kid. Never had police contact. First in my family to go to college. He was amazing.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>Danielle also noted, &#8220;Deandre wasn’t a violent person. This wasn’t for retaliation. He wasn’t in the streets.&#8221;</p>
<p>As a result, she went on to say that she &#8220;believe[s] it was a hate crime.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="endmarkEnabled">&#8220;I don’t know, but I believe it was a hate crime. Who would kill a beautiful soul like that?&#8221;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This sentiment was also shared by Dajanae Gillespie, Deandre&#8217;s sister.</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="endmarkEnabled">&#8220;He was gay. And I feel as if this could’ve been a hate crime.&#8221;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>As the investigation continues, Danielle says she has faith that authorities will get to the bottom of the case, as &#8220;they are doing a good job.&#8221;</p>
<p>She went on to powerfully note, &#8220;Let&#8217;s not let Deandre’s name go in vain. I want justice for my son.&#8221;</p>
<p>There are no further updates to the case at this time, and we send our condolences to the family.</p>
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