Suvechha Sarkar
In June 2015, the quiet community of Monrovia, California, was rocked to its core when 31-year-old LaJoya Kamiel McCoy suddenly went missing. Sadly, just a few days after the authorities began searching for her, her remains were found not far from her home. The devastating tragedy shattered her family completely, leaving her beloved son and daughter, James and Savannah, behind. The heartbreaking case comes under the spotlight on NBC’s ‘Dateline: The Dead of Night.’ It explores every detail surrounding her murder and the impact it left on her loved ones. Moreover, it features detailed interviews with LaJoya’s sister, Brianna, her uncle and aunt, David and Alicia Clark, and the detectives who solved the case.
LaJoya McCoy’s World Revolved Around James and Savannah
LaJoya Kamiel McCoy was still in college when she first crossed paths with Jose Roberto Turner around 2003. They began dating soon after and eventually got into a committed relationship. By 2006, they welcomed a son, James, into the world. Just two years later, LaJoya and Jose gave birth to a daughter, Savannah. According to reports, in the meantime, LaJoya and Jose’s relationship began to go downhill, and after dating for around 7 or 8 years, they eventually parted ways. Court records state that after separating, they shared custody of their son and daughter. Things seemed to be returning to normal by June 2015, as LaJoya focused on her professional life to give her children the best of everything.
On June 9, 2015, LaJoya was last seen by one of her friends, but by the following day, she had completely disappeared. According to police records, LaJoya had asked her sister, Brianna, to meet her at the bus station and help look after her kids. However, when Brianna and LaJoya’s mother, Summer Jackson, was unable to reach LaJoya for two days, Summer reported her missing on June 12. After three consecutive searches at LaJoya’s home, investigators reportedly discovered a bloody crime scene. Reports state that when they arrived at James and Savannah’s room, they found it disheveled, with clothes and other items strewn across the floor. On June 16, 2015, detectives discovered LaJoy’s remains in her car, which was parked a short distance away from the scene of the crime.
As per court records, family members and friends of LaJoya told the authorities about allegations of past abuse by Jose. Further official reports state that LaJoya allegedly told Summer and her friends that she believed someone was breaking into her house. Ultimately, DNA swabs collected from under LaJoya’s fingernails and from her vehicle reportedly matched Jose. He was arrested in August 2015 and was charged with one count of first-degree murder of LaJoya. Jose’s jury trial commenced in June 2017, and he was convicted of first-degree murder with a special allegation that a deadly weapon (rope/cord) was used in the commission of the crime on June 19, 2017. Jose was eventually sentenced to 26 years to life in prison on July 11, 2017.
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James and Savannah McCoy Are Seemingly Leading a Quiet Life Today
According to court records, when LaJoya disappeared, and her remains were discovered by the investigators, neither James nor Savannah was present with her. Official reports state her children were staying with Jose during that time, as per their custody arrangement. During his interview, LaJoy’s uncle, David, stated that the day after LaJoya didn’t show up to meet Brianna at the bus station, Jose reportedly showed up at David’s house with James and Savannah. David and his wife, Alicia Clark, alleged Jose never asked about LaJoya during that visit. On the show, David claimed that Jose told James and Savannah that LaJoya had abandoned them.
When James and Savannah lost their mother, they were just 9 and 7 years old, respectively. Following the profound loss, the siblings were adopted by David and Alicia. The pair welcomed them into their lives with open arms, just as they would their own children, and described the feeling as becoming parents all over again. To this day, James and Savannah hold their mother’s memories close to their hearts. When LaJoya was still present in their life, she would often take her children out to the beach for weekend outings or take Savannah to the bookstore. She had even shared that she didn’t want to reveal their names because she wanted to protect their identities, highlighting her love for them.
When David was asked whether he told the truth to James and Savannah, he reportedly said they had asked him about what happened in June 2015. David mentioned he had tried to tell them as much as possible, without hiding anything. LaJoya’s uncle stated that upon hearing the truth, James allegedly said, “My dad tricked us, huh?” Even today, LaJoya’s loved ones recall how much James and Savannah meant to her, and how she worked diligently in her career to give them the life they deserved. As of writing, it appears that James and Savannah have chosen to lead a quiet life away from the spotlight.
