How did Nichole Coats die? Cause of death revealed after model found dead and ‘unrecognizable’ in LA apartment
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A model who was found deceased and described as "unrecognizable" in her Los Angeles apartment has died of an accidental overdose of cocaine and alcohol, according to reports.
Nichole Coats, aged 32, was found by her family on September 10, 2023, in a scene described as "gruesome and bloody," which initially raised suspicions of foul play.
Her death occurred just two days before the discovery of another model, Maleesa Mooney, aged 31, who was found murdered in her luxury Los Angeles residence.
However, the police have stated that there is no connection between the two cases.
Nichole Coats' had an unnatural body position with a busted lip
Coats’ father, Guy Coats, told the New York Post earlier that he found his daughter in an "unnatural" position and described how she appeared to have bruising and a "busted" lip.
He said he was only able to identify her by her distinctive tattoos. “I went up to her bed, and I touched her arm because it was extended out,” he said.
“She had a cover over her, and I touched her arm, but her whole body was swollen like it was inflamed.
"I took a look at her face, and I immediately turned away because I just couldn’t take it. I knew immediately that she had already passed away.
"I couldn’t look too long and had to turn away, but I saw her fingers were starting to blacken on the tips.”
Los Angeles Medical Examiner says Nichole Coats had cocaine and ethanol toxicity
The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner confirmed that Coats died as a result of “cocaine and ethanol toxicity” and ruled her death accidental, Daily Mail reported.
The Los Angeles Police Department said her death was not related to the homicide of Mooney, who was found dead in her apartment on South Figueroa Street on September 12, 2023.
Mooney was two months pregnant at the time of her murder, which police say took place inside her home. The medical examiner’s office has labeled the death the result of "homicidal violence."
Nichole Coats' family was frustrated from day one for not treating her death as a homicide
Coats' mother, Sharon Coats, expressed frustration over the fact that her daughter's death was not being treated as a homicide.
“It’s like they don’t care. I’m not going to let this be a cold case. I will keep voicing my opinion regarding what happened,” she said, as per the publication.
Coats and Mooney were both models who worked in Los Angeles. They were both 5-foot 8-inch tall and had blonde hair and blue eyes.
However, no link has been established between the two deaths despite their proximity and the similarity between their professions, the officials have said.
Nichole, also known as 'Niki', was described as a "vibrant personality" who "touched and affected everyone she crossed paths with."
'She is known as an amazing daughter, friend, and soul. Her untimely passing has left us shocked. There’s no way we could have imagined or prepared for this difficult time,' her family said on GoFundMe.