GLAAD RESPONDS TO THE DEATH OF RIVER NEVAEH GODDARD, CALLS ON MEDIA TO ACCURATELY AND FULLY TELL GODDARD’S STORY

Monday, April 22, 2024 – Today GLAAD is responding to reports of the brutal death of River Nevaeh Goddard, a nonbinary 17-year-old who according to reports and on social media, went by both River and Nevaeh, used they and she pronouns, and was pansexual. Goddard was reportedly missing for years before being found dead on April 5 in Stow, Massachusetts. Their 20-year-old boyfriend Shane Curry has been charged in connection with their death.

GLAAD will provide further information on this emerging story as it becomes available. GLAAD urges media reporting on Goddard’s life and death to respect Goddard’s identity and explore how the growing climate of anti-LGBTQ animus, legislation, and attacks factors into Goddard not receiving adequate support in the years leading up to their death.

Statement from GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis:
“We are absolutely heartbroken to hear of the death of another nonbinary teenager, River Nevaeh Goddard, who had been reported missing for years after reportedly surviving childhood abuse and time in foster care. Too often, young people, and LGBTQ youth in particular, are failed by the adults and systems entrusted to protect them, and do not feel they have anywhere to turn in times of crisis. Our leaders and our communities must do better. Politicians must stop dangerous anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation that fans the flames of hate and violence. Educational and other government leaders must truly earn the title ‘leader’ and do everything in their power to ensure that all youth, including trans and nonbinary youth, have love and support they need to thrive at home, at school, and in their communities. Media coverage of River’s senseless death must explore the lack of support too many LGBTQ youth experience and how we all can do better for our most vulnerable and marginalized young people. River Nevaeh Goddard was failed in life, and it’s up to all of us to make sure we don’t fail them, or any other LGBTQ youth, now.”

Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents marks River Nevaeh Goddard as the 12th transgender person to die as “​​victims of the campaign of terror” in 2024.

Additional resources:

• 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2023/
• GLAAD Media Reference Guide, Youth: https://glaad.org/reference/youth/
• GLAAD Media Reference Guide, Nonbinary People: https://glaad.org/reference/nonbinary/

If you are in crisis, please reach out for help:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
• Rainbow Youth Project: Call (317) 643-4888