SAN FRANCISCO -- Friends of a transgender woman found murdered near an Interstate Highway 280 onramp in San Francisco have planned a candlelight vigil in her memory.

According to Tina D'Elia, hate violence survivor program director at Communities United Against Violence, several friends came in Wednesday to identify the victim as 27-year-old Ruby Rodriguez, a native of Nicaragua.

"Folks from the community that she's been part of, including a support group and a language group, came forward to CUAV," said D'Elia, who added that the last days have been very emotional for her organization and for the greater transgender community.

D'Elia first heard the news Friday when homicide inspectors called her to say they had found Rodriguez strangled at about 5:40 a.m. near the intersection of Indiana and Cesar Chavez streets.

Police on Tuesday called for the public to help in identifying Rodriguez, who was found naked with knife-like cuts and scars on both her arms.

Investigators are also looking to find a woman seen on the day of the murder around 8 a.m. getting into a blue metallic car near the southbound U.S. Highway 101 onramp at Cesar Chavez Street. She is described as 25- to 30-year-old white woman, 5 feet, 5 inches tall with reddish-blond hair.

The woman was also naked, and police believe she may have a connection to the victim. Police have not released any further information on the murder.

Possible witnesses are urged to call homicide inspectors Karen Lynch or Tom Cleary at (415) 553-1145. A confidential tip line is also available at (415) 575-4444.

At the vigil Friday, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the corner of 24th and Mission streets, many of Rodriguez's friends and what D'Elia called her "extended family" are expected to gather and remember the victim. Participants are asked to bring white candles for the event.