The Mysterious Murder of Maleesa Money: Why ME cannot pinpoint cause of death despite suggesting 'homicidal violence'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The death of Maleesa Mooney, a 31-year-old Los Angeles-based model, has left investigators baffled after her body was discovered on September 12, bearing multiple signs of violence – beaten, tied up, gagged, and ultimately placed inside a refrigerator.
The grim discovery occurred after her family reported her missing, having heard nothing from her for a week. What is particularly confounding is the result of the autopsy, which, despite suggesting "homicidal violence" as the cause of death, fails to specify the exact manner in which she perished.
What does 'homicidal violence' truly mean in Maleesa Mooney's case?
The Los Angeles Police Department's lead detective, David Marcinek, expressed his bewilderment, explaining that he had never encountered a case where the coroner listed "homicidal violence" as the cause of death without further elucidation.
She died from the "totality" of her injuries, highlighted Detective Marcinek, KTLA reported.
Tragically, Maleesa had both cocaine and alcohol in her system when she died. However, her sister Jourdine Pauline's assertion that Maleesa was pregnant at the time was debunked by the coroner.
Despite numerous tips and a review of security camera footage, the LAPD has yet to make any arrests. Detective Marcinek refrained from disclosing whether a person of interest had been identified, though he suggested that the incident appeared to be isolated.
Maleesa Mooney's family confronts a chilling mystery
Further, the preliminary investigation revealed no signs of forced entry, leaving investigators grappling with how the assailant gained access to Maleesa's residence and whether the victim was acquainted with the perpetrator.
According to Pauline, Maleesa's death did not occur swiftly, but rather involved a protracted "struggle."
"She was in a struggle, both her ankles were broken ... her hands, her legs. It's very gruesome details. She was definitely in a struggle. It wasn't something that quickly happened," the grieving sister said, as per NewsNation.
In the wake of Maleesa's tragic death, the family has been haunted by the traumatic nature of her injuries.
Pauline said, "All I know is it was a torturous act. They (the suspect) did multiple things to her body, you know? The police can't even pinpoint what exactly took her. Why would someone do this to her, you know? It's just really messed up. We just need to find the people who would do this. What did my sister do to deserve that?"
The medical examiner's report further complicates the case, as it remains unclear what role drugs or alcohol may have played in Maleesa's death.
While the autopsy revealed "blunt force traumatic injuries," these alone were not typically considered "acutely life-threatening."
"However, based on the circumstances of how Ms. Mooney was found, these injuries suggest she was likely involved in violence physical altercation prior to her death," the medical examiner wrote.