Celebrities share condolences on social media after death of Oluwatoyin Salau

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Celebrities are taking to social media to express their heartache after 19-year-old Oluwatoyin Salau and 75-year-old Victoria Sims, a long-time AARP volunteer in Tallahassee, were found dead on Monday Road Saturday night.

A suspect, identified as 49-year-old Aaron Glee Jr., was taken into custody in connection to the crime.

"The deaths are being investigated as homicides and have been turned over to TPD's Violent Crime Unit. The investigation is ongoing," per a news release sent out by the Tallahassee Police Department.

Salau was last seen on June 6 in the area of Orange Avenue and Wahnish Way in Tallahassee. That same day, Salau left behind tweets detailing a sexual assault that she says happened days earlier.

"Anyways I was molested in Tallahassee, Florida by a black man this morning at 5:30 on Richview and Park Ave. The man offered to give me a ride to find someplace to sleep and recollect my belongings from a church I refuged to a couple days back to escape unjust living conditions," Salau wrote in the tweet.

Saying that he "came disguised as a man of God," Salau accepted a ride from the unidentified man.

Following the news of her death, several celebrities, musicians and other high-profile names have taken to social media to express their heartbreak over Salau's death.

Common, who received an honorary doctorate's degree from FAMU last year, shared a post praising Salau for her work in fighting against social injustice.

"It shouldn't be lost on us that Black Women have been at the forefront of these Movements," Common wrote. "We have to stand up against violence happening to our Black Women and Girls. God Bless her soul."

Singer Kehlani called on others to continue to speak Salau's name in her remembrance.

'Scandal' actress Kerry Washington was also among those expressing her condolences writing, "This is heartbreaking. Toyin, I am praying for you. I am praying for your family. I will continue to say your name and bring #JusticeForToyin #SayHerName."

"This hits so close to home -- literally only minutes from where I live and work," Tallahassee civil rights attorney Ben Crump wrote on Twitter.

The Atlantic sports journalist Jemele Hill, like others, called for justice for Salau, saying that the 19-year-old deserved and needed protection.

Coco Gauff, the youngest player ranked in the top 100 by the Women's Tennis Association, and Angela Rye, an attorney and political commentator on CNN, both shared their condolences on Twitter as well.

In addition to the social media attention, a Change.org petition was created in efforts to seek justice for Salau.

Organizers say the petition was made to bring attention to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Tallahassee Police Department, to further investigate Salau's death and release more information to the public.

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 212,000 people have signed the petition, blowing through the goal of 200,000 signatures.

Click here to view the petition.