“The Dead of Night”: Dateline Revisits LaJoya McCoy Homicide December 28 2023

“Dateline NBC,” airs an episode titled “The Dead of Night” on December 28, 2023, unraveling the mysterious disappearance of LaJoya McCoy, a mother of two from California. This episode delves deeply into the circumstances leading to McCoy’s vanishing, including her fears of being stalked, as shared by her close acquaintances.

Background of the Case

LaJoya McCoy, 31, was a respected boutique owner and auditor for Los Angeles County. Her life took a tragic turn when she vanished on June 10, 2015. The case began as a missing person report when McCoy failed to fulfill a family commitment, raising alarms among her relatives. Despite initial police checks at her residence showing no immediate signs of foul play, the situation escalated when her blood-stained bedroom was discovered days later.

The case witnessed a horrifying development with the discovery of McCoy’s body in her car, parked on a residential street close to her apartment. The condition of the body, bearing a ligature mark around her neck, and the evidence of a struggle indicated a violent end, leaving her family and community in shock.

Focus on Jose Turner: The Ex-Boyfriend

The investigation quickly focused on Jose Turner, McCoy’s ex-boyfriend and father of her children. The couple’s relationship history was marred by violence and jealousy, with McCoy having previously expressed fears about being stalked, presumably by Turner. An incident in 2013, where McCoy fled to her uncle’s apartment following a violent altercation with Turner, was particularly telling of the troubled relationship.

The breakthrough in the case came with the discovery of Turner’s DNA under McCoy’s fingernails and in her car, alongside a blood-soaked note detailing stalking incidents. Additionally, items from McCoy’s apartment and a notebook with threatening notes in Turner’s handwriting were found in his possession.

Legal Proceedings and Conviction

The accumulation of evidence against Turner led to his arrest and subsequent trial. He was found guilty of LaJoya McCoy’s murder and sentenced to 26 years to life in prison. The conviction brought closure to the case, albeit amidst a backdrop of tragedy and loss.

The Dateline NBC episode “The Dead of Night” presents a comprehensive retrospective of the case, featuring interviews with McCoy’s friends and family. It shed light on her life, her fears, and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement.