Families fear serial killer possibilities as LA police find models Maleesa Mooney and Nichole Coats found dead within a week
Family members are concerned about a serial killer on the loose after the revelation that two Los Angeles-area models were killed within three miles of each other in just a few days.
On September 10, family members discovered the body of model Nichole “Nikki” Coats in her apartment, two days after they last heard from her via text message, when she told them she was on her way to a date.
Her death is still ruled “suspicious” pending a Los Angeles County coroner’s report.
Just two days later and three miles away, Maleesa Mooney, 31, was found dead in her luxury Los Angeles high-rise apartment after her family requested a welfare check because their blue text conversations with her turned green.
Coats’ aunt, May Stevens, who discovered her body, suggested at a news conference that “there is a predator on the loose,” although only Mooney’s death is officially considered a homicide.
On September 10, family members discovered the body of model Nichole “Nikki” Coats in her apartment, two days after they last heard from her via text message, when she told them she was on her way to a date.
“This is senseless and I want answers because my daughter is gone,” added the victim’s mother, Sharon Coats.
‘And it’s not fair. I want everyone to find out who did this to her. She shouldn’t be gone.’
Stevens said that when she and other concerned family members discovered her body, they could barely tell it was her.
“I couldn’t recognize her,” she said.
“I believe it was murder, I really do.”
Coats’ mother told me KTL her daughter “had no enemies” and was “beloved by friends and community.”
Another family member expressed similar sentiments about Coats in a GoFundMe intended to help with funeral costs.
“She is known as a wonderful daughter, friend and soul,” John Clark wrote. ‘Her untimely death has left us shocked.’
“There is no way we could have imagined or prepared for this difficult time.”
Coats’ mother Sharon said her daughter “had no enemies” and was “loved by friends and the community.”
Coats’ aunt, May Stevens (pictured right), who discovered her body, suggested at a press conference that “there is a predator on the loose,” although only Mooney’s death is officially considered a homicide.
Coats’ apartment in downtown Los Angeles was just three miles from where Mooney was found two days later
Coats’ death remains classified as ‘suspicious’ pending a Los Angeles County coroner’s report
Coats’ apartment in downtown Los Angeles was just three miles from where Mooney was found two days later.
Mooney worked as a real estate agent at the Beverly Hills-based agency Nest Seekers and had only moved into her new home a month ago, her family said.
Police entered her Skye apartment on Bunker Hill on September 12, just before 4pm, and found the woman murdered. They didn’t say how long she had been dead.
Her family knew something was wrong when their iPhone text conversations with Mooney turned from blue to green, indicating a change in Wi-Fi and data services.
Bailey Babb, Mooney’s cousin, told KTLA that the family requested a welfare check when she stopped answering her calls: “When a week went by, we just knew something was wrong.
“Her messages weren’t getting through and we knew something was going on because we all have a special relationship with Maleesa.”
Jourdin Pauline, her pop star sister who has 1.3 million followers on Instagram, said: “Maleesa has always been someone who is a peacemaker in our family, someone who has always been the backbone and makes everyone come together and love each other .
Tributes poured in for aspiring model Mooney, 31, as LA police launched a murder investigation after finding her dead in her apartment
Mooney (right) worked as a real estate agent at Beverly Hills-based agency Nest Seekers and had only moved into her new home a month ago, her family said
“So this is a very big part of us that’s gone now.”
She wrote in a heartfelt tribute on social media: ‘Never in a million years did I think I would have to make this post and get justice for my only sister, my heart is crushed.
“I can’t believe you won’t be here with us anymore. You were so loving and so kind to everyone. You made sure everyone around you was too. You opened your arms to people who didn’t deserve you as a friend. you are the best thing that could happen to the lives of almost everyone you touched!”
She added: ‘This feels so surreal I keep waking up crying and thinking I’m in a bad dream. We will get justice for you, my sister. I promise you won’t be gone for nothing!’
Pauline said her sister’s iCloud had an alert that she was still online, leading her to believe her killer was trying to steal and sell her iPhone and MacBook.
Her family knew something was wrong when their iPhone text conversations with Mooney changed from blue to green — indicating a change in Wi-Fi and data services
The building has a resort-style pool and sundeck and a central courtyard, as well as community barbecue grills, tennis courts and a dog park.
Jourdin Pauline, her pop star sister who has 1.3 million followers on Instagram, said: “Maleesa has always been someone who is a peacemaker in our family, someone who has always been the backbone and makes everyone come together and love each other ‘
RResidents living in the 450-unit high-rise building are said to have ‘raised the alarm’ about strange, suspicious activity in the building in recent weeks.
Rent for studios and one-bed apartments in the complex starts at $2,019 per month.
The building also has a resort-style pool and sundeck and a central courtyard, as well as community barbecue grills, tennis courts and a dog park.
The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement: “(LAPD) Central Homicide Bureau investigators are asking for the public’s assistance with any information in a homicide investigation.
“On September 12, 2023, at approximately 3:54 p.m., LAPD Central Area uniformed patrol officers responded to a radio call for a welfare check in the 200 block of South Figueroa Street.
“Officers located a deceased victim (later identified as Maleesa Mooney) in an apartment.
‘Officers contacted the Central Homicide Bureau, who responded and took on investigative responsibility for the case.
“The investigation revealed that Maleesa Mooney was murdered in her apartment.
“The exact cause of death of Maleesa Mooney is unknown pending a post-mortem examination, which will be conducted by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
“The Los Angeles Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying all individuals responsible for the death of Maleesa Mooney.”