“The Dead of Night”: Dateline Reports on LaJoya McCoy Homicide February 28 2026

NBC’s Dateline Weekend Mystery presents “The Dead of Night,” airing Saturday, February 28 at 9/8c, with reporting by Josh Mankiewicz. The broadcast examines the 2015 murder of LaJoya McCoy, a young mother from Monrovia, California, whose disappearance quickly evolved into a homicide investigation. Through interviews, investigative records, and courtroom testimony, the episode traces the events that led to her death and the evidence that secured a conviction.

The case drew attention because of the warning signs that preceded the crime. Friends and family later described a pattern of fear, stalking, and escalating tension in McCoy’s personal life. Dateline reconstructs the timeline of her final days and explores how investigators identified the person responsible.

• Who Was LaJoya McCoy & What Happened to Her? 2026 Update & Background
• Who Is Jose Turner & Where Is He Now? 2026 Update & Background

LaJoya McCoy’s Life and Growing Concerns

LaJoya McCoy was a 31-year-old mother of two who worked as an auditor for Los Angeles County and had also launched her own clothing boutique. Those close to her described a woman focused on building a stable life for her children while pursuing professional and personal goals. After ending a long relationship with the father of her children, she began rebuilding her independence.

In the months before her death, McCoy confided to friends and relatives that she believed someone was watching her. She reported items being moved inside her home and expressed concern that her former partner was monitoring her activities. Years earlier, the relationship had turned violent during an incident in which she fled her home in fear after being choked. Despite the earlier conflict, she did not pursue charges, hoping to avoid further escalation.

The Disappearance and a Disturbing Discovery

On June 10, 2015, McCoy vanished without warning. She failed to report to work and did not pick up her sister from a bus station as planned. When several days passed without contact, her family notified the Monrovia Police Department. Initial welfare checks at her apartment showed no clear signs of her whereabouts.

During a subsequent entry into the residence, investigators discovered extensive blood evidence in the bedroom, including stains on the mattress, walls, and carpet. Bedding was missing, and the children’s room appeared disturbed. Her car, phone, and purse were also gone. A police bulletin was issued for the vehicle, which was located hours later parked about a mile away. Inside the car, authorities found McCoy’s body. An examination revealed that she had been stabbed multiple times and strangled.

Evidence and the Focus on Jose Turner

Investigators quickly identified McCoy’s former boyfriend, Jose Turner, as a primary suspect. The two had been in a relationship for approximately a decade and shared two children. Detectives learned that Turner had continued to follow her movements after the breakup and had made threats against her.

Forensic evidence played a central role in the case. Turner’s DNA was found beneath McCoy’s fingernails and inside her vehicle, indicating a violent struggle. During a search of his car, authorities recovered items taken from her apartment. Investigators also located a notebook containing writings that expressed anger and violent thoughts toward McCoy. One entry described a desire to harm her, reinforcing the prosecution’s argument about intent and motive.

The Trial and Sentencing

Prosecutors presented the case as a deliberate killing driven by resentment after the end of the relationship. They outlined the history of stalking behavior, the physical evidence linking Turner to the crime scene, and the writings that reflected hostility toward the victim. The defense challenged aspects of the evidence, but the forensic findings and recovered items formed a strong narrative for the jury.

After approximately eight hours of deliberation, the jury found Jose Turner guilty of first-degree murder. He was later sentenced to 26 years to life in state prison. Turner is serving his sentence at North Kern State Prison in California. For McCoy’s family, the verdict provided accountability, though the loss remains profound.

The Aftermath and Lasting Impact

Following the conviction, McCoy’s two children were taken in by relatives who have continued to care for them. Family members have spoken about the emotional toll of the crime and the lasting absence left by her death. The case also prompted reflection among investigators and advocates about the dangers associated with stalking and intimate partner violence.

In “The Dead of Night,” Dateline presents interviews with law enforcement officials, family members, and others connected to the investigation. The episode examines the warning signs that appeared before the crime and the investigative work that brought the case to a conclusion. By reconstructing the events that led to McCoy’s death and the legal outcome that followed, the broadcast offers a detailed account of a tragedy that began with fear and ended with a conviction for murder.