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THERE is no evidence that the deaths of two aspiring models are linked despite eerie similarities between their cases, police have said.
The deaths of Nichole Coats, 32, and Maleesa Mooney, 31, earlier this month sparked fears that a serial killer might be on the loose in the Los Angeles area.
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Coats was found dead inside her Downtown Los Angeles apartment on September 10.
Just two days later, Mooney’s body was found in her home three miles away.
Their two apartments are located just a five-minute drive from each other.
Investigators have since launched a homicide investigation into Mooney’s death, but they haven’t done so for Coats’ case.
Coats’ aunt Linda St. Clair told local CBS affiliate KCAL that she believes the two cases are related.
“She wasn’t far from where Nicole lived and they were the same age bracket and she was a model,” St. Clair said.
However, the Los Angeles Police Department said on Tuesday that the cases do not appear to be related despite the apparent similarities, KTLA reported.
They declined to provide any additional information, citing the ongoing investigations.
After not hearing from Coats for several days, her father and aunt Nikki Stevens decided to visit her apartment.
There, they found a gruesome scene.
“I couldn’t recognize her,” Stevens told KTLA.
“I believe it was murder, I really do.
“One of her legs was up in the air in a kicking position. That’s not somebody who just laid in their bed and died.”
Coats’ family is still waiting for a coroner’s report to be released.
Mooney’s family is also mourning as they search for answers.
“Maleesa has always been someone who is a peacemaker in our family, someone that’s always been the backbone, and making sure everyone’s getting together, loving on each other,” the victim’s sister Jourdin Pauline told KTLA.
“This is a really big piece of us that’s gone now.”
Anyone with information about either case is asked to call police at (213) 996-4150.
During weekends and non-business hours, calls can be directed to (877) 527-3247.
Those wishing to provide information anonymously can do so by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers (800) 222-8477 or submitting the tip through the group’s website.
