A Milpitas man was sentenced Monday to 15-years-to-life in prison for the murder of his transgender partner in 2021..

The Jan. 27 sentencing by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Hanley Chew followed the conviction late last year of Elijah Cruz Segura, 26, in the 2021 stabbing slaying of Natalia Smut.

It is believed to be the first prosecution of transgender domestic violence homicide in Santa Clara County.

District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement that he hoped the long sentence would bring some peace to all those who loved the beloved drag queen.

“We should never forget that a vulnerable member of our community was abused and killed,” said Rosen. “A sentence, long or short, does not erase that. I urge anyone in an abusive relationship to seek help. You will find resources and respect in our county.”

On April 23, 2021, at about 2:29am, Milpitas police officers responded to Hillview Court in San Jose to find both the suspect and his victim, who had been stabbed multiple times.

Prosecutors said that evidence showed that Segura fatally stabbed the victim. The suspect and victim had been dating for several months, according to the District Attorney’s Office.