ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orange County Sheriff's Office deputies say the person found dead at an Orlando-area apartment complex early Thursday morning was a transgender woman.

  • 27-year-old found dead at Orlando-area apartments
  • Transgender woman known to loved ones as Sasha

Just after 5 a.m., Orange County deputies say they responded to a call about people finding the body of 27-year-old Steve Garden -- best known as 'Sasha,' according to family and friends -- at the rear parking lot of the Reserve at Lake Buchanan apartments at 1633 Holden Ave.

Deputies said there was trauma to Sasha's body. At this time, they're investigating her death as a homicide.

Authorities said earlier Thursday that Sasha was "wearing a wig and was dressed as a female," but family members later confirmed to OCSO deputies that she was a transgender woman.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.