Police are looking for any information that could lead them to the offender or perpetrators responsible for the deaths of two models in downtown Los Angeles within a week.
Maleesa Mooney, a 31-year-old model and real estate agent, was the first lady whose death was announced. Officers doing a welfare check discovered her body in her fancy condominium in Bunker Hill on Tuesday after she unexpectedly stopped responding to calls or texts from her relatives.
“When a week went by, we just knew something was off,” said Bailey Babb, Maleesa Mooney’s cousin. “Her messages weren’t delivering and we knew something was up because we all have a special relationship with Maleesa.”
Police did not give any information about Mooney’s injuries or death, but they did confirm that her death was being investigated as a homicide. Authorities confirmed the death of another model, Nichole “Nikki” Coats, 32, just three days later.
Concerned family members discovered Coats’ body in her apartment on September 10 after she had not responded to attempts to contact her for many days.
Here is a tweet about “31-year-old model Maleesa Mooney was found dead in her downtown LA apartment on Sept. 12, according to the LAPD. Two days before, on Sept. 10, authorities found 32-year-old Nichole Coats dead in her apartment, less than a mile away.”
31-year-old model Maleesa Mooney was found dead in her downtown LA apartment on Sept. 12, according to the LAPD. Two days before, on Sept. 10, authorities found 32-year-old Nichole Coats dead in her apartment, less than a mile away. https://t.co/HhUXpJbTa6
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) September 17, 2023
“I couldn’t recognize her,” said May Stevens, Nikki’s aunt and one of the family members who made the gruesome discovery. “I believe it was murder, I really do.”
Nikki Coats’ loved ones say the last they heard from her was that she was going out on a date on Friday, Sept. 8. It was going to be her last conversation with them.
The two incidences happened less than three miles apart, and although Mooney’s death is being investigated as a murder, Coats’ death is still being investigated as a “suspicious” death as of Sunday.
Maleesa’s sister described her as a “peacemaker” and “backbone” of her family, while Nikki’s mother remembered her daughter as someone who “didn’t have any enemies” and was “loved by friends and the community.”
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Although no suspect description has been given, the two bereaved families are apprehensive that a serial killer may be on the lookout for their next victim.
“I feel that there’s a predator loose,” Stevens said.
Nikki’s case is still being investigated by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office until her cause of death is determined. A GoFundMe page was set up to assist her family with burial expenses. Stay tuned to BLHS News for more updates and news.
Patricia Gault is a seasoned journalist with years of experience in the industry. She has a passion for uncovering the truth and bringing important stories to light. Patricia has a sharp eye for detail and a talent for making complex issues accessible to a broad audience. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to accuracy and impartiality, earning a reputation as a reliable and trusted source of news.