Mercedes Williamson is a transgender teen living in Gulf Shores, Alabama. She was originally from Miami, Florida. She was born a male and at the age of 14 transformed into her true identity. Mercedes aspired to be a cosmologist. She worked at Ralph Lauren and Victoria's Secret.

Mercedes Williamson was brutally murdered by her ex-boyfriend, Josh Vallum with knives and a hammer.

On May 30, 2015, Mercedes was picked up by her ex-boyfriend to engage in sexual activities. The ex-boyfriend, Josh Vallum, had been a member of the Latin Kings and feared retaliation for having an intimate homosexual relationship. Vallum drove Mercedes across state lines to his father's property in George County, Mississippi. Vallum stabbed Mercedes multiple times before she made a short escape his grasp, but Vallum caught up with her and finished his intended murder with a hammer.

Vallum plead guilty and was sentenced to life in prison of July 13, 2016.