A family traveling to Arizona to celebrate the graduation of a 24-year-old college student found her dead in her apartment next to her ex-boyfriend in an apparent murder-suicide.
Monet Newton’s family grew concerned when she didn’t pick them up from the airport in Phoenix on Tuesday or answer their calls. They had flown in to celebrate her receiving her master’s degree from Grand Canyon University.
When Newton’s family arrived at her Gilbert apartment shortly after noon that day, they found the student and her ex-boyfriend, Chase Cooper, 22, in what police described as a murder-suicide, police said. 12 News.
The couple, who had had a brief romantic relationship, had died of gunshot wounds in the apartment. Police believe Cooper shot Newton before shooting himself.
“This family was getting ready to celebrate something so special, something they worked so hard for, and the celebration immediately turned into a tragedy,” Glendale Police Public Information Officer Jose Santiago said, according to 12 News.
The graduate student, who studied psychology, was scheduled to attend her graduation ceremony on Thursday.
Monet Newton, 24, was found dead by her family in her apartment next door to her ex-boyfriend, Chase Cooper, after failing to pick them up at the airport
Police believe Cooper shot Newton before shooting himself in a murder-suicide on Tuesday, just days after the couple ended their relationship
Newton and Cooper dated for less than a year before breaking up just days before the shooting Family AZ. They didn’t live together.
Police believe it was a murder-suicide because there were no signs of a forced entry into the apartment and the family had to fight their way inside, Santiago said, according to AZ Family.
“I know when family members arrived, they tried to use a key, but there was a secondary lock on the door, which prevented them from getting in.” And at that point the family friend had to use force to get inside,” he said.
Grand Canyon University confirmed Newton’s attendance, saying she received her bachelor’s degree from the school in 2022 and had been studying for her master’s degree through an online program.
Police believe it was a murder-suicide as there were no signs of a forced entry into the apartment and the family had to fight their way inside.
Both Newtown and Cooper died of gunshot wounds
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Monet and her family at this difficult time,” the school said in a statement. “We are making counseling or support services available to anyone in the GCU family who knew Monet.”
The Phoenix Suns, for whom Newton worked as a coordinator, according to her LinkedIn page – also released a statement saying the team was “devastated by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague.”
“She was a beloved member of our team, whose smile and joy touched us all. We will miss her greatly,” the statement said. “Our thoughts are with her family and friends.”
A family friend launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to support Newton’s family.
“Monet was a beautiful soul known for her infectious smile – a vibrant 24-year-old known for her commitment to education and resilient spirit,” a note on the fundraising page said.
The graduate student, who studied psychology, was scheduled to attend her graduation ceremony on Thursday
Yokhoui Mullins, a friend who organized the campaign, revealed that Newton and her mother had plans to “cook their favorite food” and had activities planned in the coming days.
“Within a few hours, however, her mother discovered that Monet was the victim of a murder-suicide,” Mullins wrote. “At this incredibly difficult time, we want to honor Monet’s memory and support her family as they cope with their unimaginable loss.”
Glendale police are investigating.