Suvechha Sarkar
LaJoya Kamiel McCoy was a 31-year-old mother of two, a beloved sister, and a loving daughter. However, her life took a dark turn on June 10, 2015, when she unexpectedly went missing. Within a week, authorities uncovered her remains, turning the case into a homicide investigation. The episode titled ‘The Dead of Night’ of NBC’s ‘Dateline’ dives deeper into the details surrounding the murder case and the witness statements that helped officials crack the case. It also features interviews with her loved ones, friends, and the law enforcement officials who helped serve justice.
LaJoya McCoy Dedicated Her Life to Her Studies, Business, and Children
LaJoya Kamiel McCoy arrived as a blessing in the lives of her mother, Summer Jackson, and her father on July 17, 1983. Reports state that Summer eventually raised her as a single mother in a loving household in Pasadena, California. Despite her family’s strained financial situation, she had always been close to her sister, Brianna, and brother, Victor. Eventually, Summer got a second chance at love when she met Daryl Lee Jackson, and they soon tied the knot. When her family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, LaJoya stayed in California, strengthening her connection with her uncle and aunt, David and Alicia Clark. LaJoya was often known among her family members as a selfless person. She initially attended Cleveland Elementary School, where she was selected by the I Have a Dream Foundation.
After graduating from high school, LaJoya earned a Bachelor’s degree in Media, Film, and Broadcasting in 2006 from California State University, Los Angeles. In 2010, she completed a Master’s degree in Accounting at the same university. LaJoya began her professional journey as a full-time auditor for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Simultaneously, she tapped into her entrepreneurial spirit and opened her own clothing store, Joya Boutique, which later closed. By 2015, David revealed that LaJoya was also creating her own mobile application. Sometime around the early 2000s, LaJoya met Jose Roberto Turner. Over the next few years, they welcomed their son, James, and daughter, Savannah, into the world.
LaJoya McCoy’s Remains Were Found in Her Car a Mile From Her Home
Due to some issues, LaJoya and Jose ended their relationship after 7 to 8 years, around 2012 or 2013. Reports state that both shared custody of their children. LaJoya began raising James and Savannah as a single mother and worked with dedication to provide for them. Things seemed to be going well until June 10, 2015, when she failed to meet Brianna at a bus station near her home, although LaJoya had asked her sister to come and help look after her children. Despite multiple attempts from Summer, Brianna, and her loved ones to contact her, they received no response. On June 12, Summer called 911 and reported LaJoya missing. However, when authorities conducted two checks of her apartment in the 800 block of West Olive Avenue in Monrovia, California, they found the blinds drawn and the doors locked.
Reports state that since authorities found nothing amiss, they asked LaJoya’s family members to wait for a few days, but things took a turn when even her coworkers and friends began reporting that they had last heard from her on June 9, 2015. On June 15, officials once again conducted a check at her home, and that time, they entered the apartment to find a bloody scene in the main bedroom. They reportedly discovered a bloodstain on the mattress and carpet, and blood spatter on the walls. Additionally, the investigators noted that her bedding and silver Toyota Camry were missing. A further search revealed that her purse and keys were nowhere to be found. When officials entered her children’s room, they found it in disarray, as if it had been robbed.
However, when detectives found no signs of forced entry, they deduced that the scene might’ve been staged. According to reports, there was also a bleach smell inside the house. The search for LaJoya ultimately led them to her vehicle on June 16, parked on the 200 block of West Cypress Avenue, about a mile from her home. They unfortunately discovered LaJoya’s remains under a blanket in the passenger side of the car. Court records specify that they retrieved a blood-soaked handwritten note from LaJoya inside the car and a DNA sample. The autopsy reportedly uncovered stab wounds, unknown DNA under her fingernails, and a ligature mark around her neck, which was consistent with strangulation using a rope or cord. LaJoya’s cause of death was reportedly determined to be strangulation.
The Killer Was Arrested Based on Witness Statements and a DNA Match
During the initial missing person investigation, Summer reportedly told the officials that LaJoya had informed her she was allegedly being stalked. According to court records, several of LaJoya’s friends and other family members also informed them that the 31-year-old was fearful for her life, believing someone had broken into her apartment. Reports state that the witnesses claimed that Jose was abusive toward her, and they suspected him. As authorities investigated further, they learned of an alleged incident that occurred on April 7, 2013. David stated on the show that on that night, LaJoya had allegedly arrived at his home in just a nightgown, claiming that Jose turned violent during an argument between them.
According to police records, since detectives were unable to locate LaJoya’s cellphone, they checked her mobile records. It reportedly revealed that LaJoya had last texted a man, Luther Wauls. When questioned, he told officials that LaJoya suspected Jose of making a duplicate key for her apartment, as per investigative reports. Further reports suggest that in the bloodied note found in LaJoya’s car, she had written about missing jewelry, birth certificates, and insurance policies. It further read, “June 15, I got a flat tire after he says he’s in my area. He text me at 12:14 and 12:45 in the morning. Tire guy says it was intentionally done. Sends me disturbing text messages.” Court records indicate that when investigators attempted to question Jose, he refused and hired a lawyer. Things changed when Jose eventually agreed to meet one of the detectives to get his children’s clothes from LaJoya’s apartment.
During that meeting, the official reportedly took a DNA swab from him. According to official records, it was a complete match to the DNA that was recovered from underneath LaJoya’s fingernails and her car. Jose was ultimately arrested on August 27, 2015, and charged with LaJoya’s murder. As per police records, authorities also discovered the missing items from LaJoya’s apartment in Jose’s vehicle, and his journal, where he had written about harming someone. Per records, another of his ex-partners testified in court, describing Jose’s behavior as controlling and abusive. His jury trial began in June 2017. He was convicted of first-degree murder, and the court also found it true that he used a deadly weapon (rope/cord) in the commission of the crime on June 19, 2017. On July 11, 2017, Jose was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for murder and another 1-year for the weapon charge.
