(Headline USA) A well-known dentist in Virginia Beach was reportedly stabbed to death in his home by his adult son, who identifies as transgender, according to police.
The Virginia Beach Police Department said officers were called to Dr. Abbey Horwitz’s home just before 9 a.m. on Sunday, where they found Horwitz, 68, with multiple stab wounds. He was declared dead at the scene.
Police arrested Horwitz’s son, Michael “Norah” Horwitz, a 34-year-old man who identifies as a woman. He has been charged with second-degree murder and stabbing in the commission of a felony.
Michael Horwitz reportedly performed as a drag queen in Portland, Oregon, under the name “Menorah Horwitz.” He also used this stage name in a book he wrote about cosplaying as Anne Frank. In The Diary of Menorah Horwitz, Michael Horwitz describes his combination of “Judaism and a love of drag in all the wrong ways when he becomes Menorah, Portland’s premiere Anne Frank impersonator,” according to a synopsis of the book.
A #trans artist & drag queen from #Portland, Ore. has been arrested in Virginia Beach, Va. and charged with murder. Michael Horwitz, who uses the fake name "Norah," allegedly stabbed her father to death in a horrific home attack.
Before identifying as a woman, Horwitz was a drag… pic.twitter.com/wBCc0cwiej
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 6, 2023
Abbey Horwitz’s murder was likely the result of a family dispute, according to police, though an exact motive is not yet clear.
Michael Horwitz is being held in the men’s section of the Virginia Beach Jail and is on suicide watch. He was arraigned via Zoom on Monday.
The Virginia Beach community mourned Abbey Horwitz’s death, calling him a “wonderful man.”
“He’s been my dentist since I was eight years old. He was also instrumental in helping us start here, you know. He jumped right on board and gave us advice and came to our grand opening without us even having to ask him,” said Michele Nielsen, a neighboring business owner.
Another local business owner, Michael Maugeri, said Abbey Horwitz was an example of “how to be a good boss, a good person.”
A patient described the dentist as a “super funny guy,” but “always professional. He made you feel at ease no matter the procedure being done.”
Abbey Horwitz’s neighbors recalled how close-knit his family appeared to be, saying he used to hold cookouts for four generations of his family.
“What I will always remember is he was always having his whole family together, kind of like ‘The Waltons,’” a neighbor said, referring to the 1970s TV drama. “He seemed like the consummate family guy.”
