Lajoya Kamiel McCoy, 31

Lajoya McCoy, a 31-year-old black woman, was found dead Tuesday, June 16, in the 200 block of West Cypress Avenue in Monrovia, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. 

Family members reported McCoy missing June 15 after she missed some appointments, said Lt. Victor Lewandowski. She had last been seen the week before, he said. 

That day, Monrovia police officers went to her apartment in the 800 block of West Olive Avenue, found evidence of foul play and asked the Sheriff’s Department for assistance in investigating her disappearance. 

Investigators did an extensive search the following morning and found McCoy’s car on Cypress Avenue, about a mile from her home. The body of a black female was found inside, however, “due to the condition of the remains,” investigators were not able to immediately identify the body, Lewandowski said. 

A news release from the Sheriff's Department identified the body as McCoy’s on June 23. The department has restricted information about the case in a so-called security hold, Lewandowski said, so details about McCoy’s autopsy and cause of death are not available. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. 

— Jeanette Marantos

FOR THE RECORD: A previous version of this post said that McCoy's body was found June 15, the same day she was reported missing. Her body was actually found the next day and family members said she was reported missing June 12.