• Maleesa Mooney, a 31-year-old model from Los Angeles, was found dead in her apartment on September 12.
• An autopsy report revealed that Mooney was beaten, bound, and stuffed into her refrigerator.
• The cause of death was determined to be homicidal violence, but the exact sequence of events leading to her death remains unknown.
Here is what happened:
New details have emerged in the tragic killing of Maleesa Mooney, a 31-year-old model. Mooney’s body was discovered in her downtown Los Angeles apartment on September 12th, sparking a homicide investigation. The L.A. County Department of Medical Examiner confirmed her cause of death as “homicidal violence” and revealed that she was beaten and “wedged” inside her refrigerator. Autopsy reports indicated that she had her wrists and ankles bound together and tied behind her back using electronic cords and clothing items. Mooney was also gagged with a piece of clothing and had visible injuries to her head, torso, and arms. The report suggests that she was likely involved in a violent physical altercation prior to her death.
Mooney, who was two months pregnant at the time, had traces of cocaine and alcohol in her system according to toxicology testing. However, it remains uncertain if these substances played a part in her death due to the injuries observed on her body. The medical examiner’s report stated that, based on the known circumstances, Mooney’s death was likely the result of or at least related to the actions of another individual(s). Her death is classified as homicidal violence, with the manner of death being homicide.
Mooney’s body was found six days after she was last seen alive on surveillance camera, during a welfare check conducted by the police at her mother’s request. Following the discovery, Mooney’s sister, Jourdin Pauline, a Guyanese pop star, expressed her heartbreak and disbelief on Instagram. Pauline described her sister as her first best friend and the person who taught her everything, and she expressed her gratitude for the impact Mooney had on her life. A GoFundMe page was also set up in Mooney’s honor, describing her as a sweet and generous soul with a compassionate and giving heart.
Another model, Nichole Coats, was found dead in her downtown Los Angeles apartment two days before Mooney’s body was discovered. Although there was initially speculation about a possible connection between the cases, police later stated that there was no evidence to suggest that the deaths of Coats and Mooney were related. Coats’ death was ultimately ruled an accident, with the cause being determined as cocaine and alcohol toxicity. As of the latest update, there have been no new developments in Mooney’s case according to the police.
