Two models found dead in luxury apartments in same area in one week

17 September 2023 , 22:24

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Nichole Coats was found dead aged 32 (Image: ABC7)

Two models have been found dead in their luxury apartments in the same area in the space of a week.

The Los Angeles Police Department has begun a murder investigation into the death of Maleesa Mooney, 31, on September 12, in her downtown LA apartment. While they say the death of a second model, 32-year-old Nichole Coats, in her upmarket pad in the same area on September 10 is not being looked at as a homicide - despite her family's suspicions.

Maleesa's sister is Guyanese pop star Jourdin Pauline. Her family called police for a wellness check when text messages from her Iphone became green instead of blue. That indicated that Maleesa's phone had gone offline. Bailey Bobb, her cousin, said that Maleesa stopped answering her phone calls for an entire week.

Jourdin Pauline, who has 1.3 million followers on Instagram, said: 'Maleesa has always been someone who is a peacemaker in our family, someone that's always been the backbone, and making sure everyone's getting together, loving on each other."

Maleesa Mooney was found dead in her downtown LA apartment a month after she moved in (ABC7)

Nichole's family created a Gofundme page for burial expenses, which has currently raised more than £9,470 (ABC7)

She wrote a heartfelt tribute to her sister on social media. The pop star explained in the post how her only sister was kind and easygoing.

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"This feels so surreal I keep waking up crying thinking I’m in a bad dream we will get justice for you my sister I promise you won’t be gone in vain," [sic] she wrote.

Police are unclear whether there's a connection between the two fatalities. However, Nichole's heartbroken family members revealed through tears that they disagree and think she was murdered

“I couldn’t recognise her,” Nichole's aunt, May Stevens, said, describing the way her niece looked. “I believe it was murder, I really do. One of her legs was up in the air in a kicking position. That’s not somebody who just laid in their bed and died.”

Nichole's mother, Sharon, described the grisly and bloody scene of her daughter's murder to local media site KTLA. By Saturday night, more than £9,470 had been contributed on a GoFundMe page set up to meet Nichole's burial expenses.

Nichole Coats' family members who found her body have spoken to the media and say they are frustrated at the lack of information coming from investigators (KTLA)

"It is with a heavy heart that we write this in regards to the recent passing of Nichole Maria Coats, fondly remembered by many as Nikki, on 9/10/2023. Nikki’s vibrant personality was one that touched and affected everyone she crossed paths with," the family wrote.

"She is known as an amazing daughter, friend and soul. Her untimely passing has left us shocked. There’s no way we could have imagined or prepared for this difficult time."

Officer Drake Madison of the LAPD stated on Saturday night that he had "no idea" as to how Nichole died.

"We had no knowledge of any kind of homicide or other crime. On that, we couldn't locate anything. Anything may be the case," he said.

One of the luxury flats in question (ABC7)

When questioned about Nichole, Lt Ricardo Lopez of the coroner's office confirmed the time and place of her passing and stated that there is an "active investigation" ongoing.

“The cause of death is deferred so we don’t have any cause of death to give you at this time. That’s subject to change, but at this time, no.”

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According to a department news release, officers who were responding to a radio call for a welfare check at an apartment in the 200 block of South Figueroa Street on Tuesday afternoon discovered Maleesa's death.

Maleesa's cause of death is still unknown, according to the LAPD, pending an autopsy.

In the press statement, the agency stated that it is looking for help from the public in locating the person or people who are accountable for her passing.

Mataeo Smith