After becoming a parent, Lee came out as transgender in the mid-2000’s, which changed his life and career path drastically. Lee was ultimately forced to detransition and go back into the closet, following a threat to custody of his child. It was during this ordeal that Lee met his spouse, Anthony Redgrave, who is also transgender. Lee helped Anthony to locate his father, whom Anthony had never known. Together, they studied more in depth about DNA and genetics, as Anthony was also born intersex.

Lee began taking more difficult genetic genealogy cases and eventually the Redgraves were able to break into the budding field of forensic genetic genealogy. They worked on some of the very first cold cases to be solved using this technique via a volunteer nonprofit organization called the DNA Doe Project. Lee held positions with them for over two years as a Team Leader, and New England Regional Case Manager. It was during their early days on their first forensic cases that Lee wondered, “What would happen if someone who was transgender ended up deceased but unidentified?”

This question led the Redgraves to co-found the Trans Doe Task Force, a specialized team of LGBTQ+ researchers and trans-informed allies. The Trans Doe Task Force finds and researches cases of LGBTQ+ missing and murdered persons, especially focusing on unidentified individuals who may have been transgender, and helps to inform professionals in criminal justice of the unique needs of cases involving transgender victims of fatal violence, and provides forensic genetic genealogy services for these cases. The TDTF has also begun a database service called LAMMP (LGBTQ+ Accountability for Missing and Murdered Persons) which can be used by investigators. Lee and Anthony have also launched their own company, Redgrave Research Forensic Services LLC, which specializes in forensic genetic genealogy for unidentified decedent and unsolved homicide cases, as well as applying the methodology to missing persons and wrongful convictions.

Lee’s child is now an adult. With the support of the Trans Doe Task Force team, Lee began transitioning again during the COVID pandemic. Media coverage about Lee’s work in cold cases began when Lee was still living closeted and presenting as female, and changes with more recent coverage to include trans and non-binary gender identity. Re-transitioning in the public eye gives Lee an opportunity to push forward the work of the TDTF and prioritize LGBTQ+ cold cases which have historically been de-prioritized by law enforcement and the public. Offering education and collaboration with agencies and departments, Lee has been able to work with law enforcement to resolve over two dozen cold cases since 2018.

Lee has presented research at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the inaugural TPATH (Transgender Professional Association for Transgender Health) conference. His work has also been featured by The Gay Star News, VICE and VICE Video, The Bay Area Reporter, Wired UK, and several true crime podcasts.