Jennifer Laude
Transgender Filipina Jennifer Laude was murdered by U.S. Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton in a motel in Olongapo. The case strained U.S.-Philippine relations and sparked debate about the Visiting Forces Agreement.
- Status
- Conviction
- Type
- Homicide
- Date
- October 11, 2014
- Location
- Olongapo, Philippines
- Age
- 26
- Gender
- Female
- Decade
- 2010s
- Open
- Partly resolved
- Charges or trial
- ClosedConviction
At least one person was convicted in connection with the case.
Case background and investigation
On October 11, 2014, Jennifer Laude, a 26-year-old transgender Filipina woman, was found dead in a motel bathroom in Olongapo City, Philippines. She had been drowned in a toilet.
U.S. Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton was identified as the last person with Jennifer. He told investigators he discovered she was transgender during an intimate encounter and 'felt repulsed.'
The case ignited protests about the Visiting Forces Agreement between the U.S. and the Philippines. Pemberton was convicted of homicide (not murder) by a Philippine court and sentenced to 6-12 years.
In 2020, Philippine President Duterte controversially granted Pemberton an absolute pardon after he had served nearly six years. The decision was condemned by LGBTQ+ advocates and Filipino nationalists.
Timeline
-
October 11, 2014Jennifer Laude murdered in Olongapo motel.
-
December 1, 2015Pemberton convicted of homicide.
-
September 7, 2020Pemberton pardoned by President Duterte.
Sources
References used for this entry. ColdCaseIndex is an index of public information. To report an error, email info@coldcaseindex.com.
About this entry
This case is recorded as conviction and is kept in the index for its historical and investigative significance. At least one person was convicted in connection with the case.
To report an error on this page, email info@coldcaseindex.com.
Entry last updated September 29, 2026.
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