Founder of Miss Trans America pageant murdered in her home

Christa Leigh Steele-Knudslien's husband has been charged with her murder

By Rhuaridh Marr on January 8, 2018 @rhuaridh

Christa Leigh Steele-Knudslien — Photo: Facebook

Christa Leigh Steele-Knudslien, founder of the Miss Trans America pageant, was killed in her Massachusetts home on Friday, January 5.

Steele-Knudslien was found by police. The 42-year-old had been stabbed in the torso and bled to death.

An autopsy revealed she had also suffered multiple blunt force trauma to the head, according to Mass Live.

Police have arrested Steele-Knudslien’s husband, Mark S. Steele-Knudslien, 47, charging him with one count of murder, according to Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless.

He is being held without bail and “did admit to the murder,” police Sergeant Scott McWhirt told the Boston Globe.

Christa Leigh and Mark Steele-Knudslien — Photo: Facebook

The couple married in April 2017 and shared a home together. Steele-Knudslien had recently posted on her Facebook about the “amazing” Christmas she shared with “hubby & great friends.”

Mark Steele-Knudslien is due to be arraigned today, Jan. 8, in Northern Berkshire District Court.

[ninja-inline id=73197]

Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism

These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!