Models Found Dead In LA Apartments 2 Days Apart

LOS ANGELES, CA — Authorities are investigating the deaths of two models — each found at their Downtown Los Angeles apartments within a mile of each other two days apart, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police haven't said if the women's deaths are connected, but the women's families believe they were the victims of foul play, warning their deaths may be the work of a predator.

Maleesa Mooney, 31, was found dead in her apartment in the 200 block of South Figuerora Street around 3:55 p.m. Tuesday. Police said she had been killed, but the cause of death was unknown pending an autopsy.

Nichole Coats was found dead inside her apartment in the 700 block of Grand Avenue two days earlier on Sept. 10. Police were conducting a welfare check on Coats, 32, at around 10 a.m., but no one responded at her apartment. About two hours later, police were called and someone reported finding a body at the home.

Her cause of death was also under investigation, but her family believes someone killed her.

Coats' aunt May Stevens found Nichole's bloodied body. “I couldn’t recognize her,” she told KTLA. “I believe it was murder, I really do... I feel that there’s a predator loose.”

“I think it was foul play,” Coats' mother Sharon Coats told People magazine. “The police aren’t doing anything. They want to make it seem like there was no foul play. I just don’t buy it. I just want to rule it out.”

A GoFundMe account was set up to help pay for her funeral.

"Nikki's vibrant personality was one that 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," the GoFundMe page says.

Authorities have not indicated the cause of death for either woman.

“In this case, unfortunately, it looks like they met in their own apartment, so, obviously, that leads me to believe that it was somebody they trusted to allow them into their home, and then the worst happened,” Moses Castillo, a retired LAPD detective told KTLA.

Mooney was the sister of Guyanese pop singer Jourdin Pauline, who posted a tribute to her sibling on Instagram last week.

"My heart is crushed, I can't believe you won't be here with us anymore. You were so loving and so kind to everyone. You made sure if you ate everyone around you was too. You opened your arms to people who didn't deserve you as a friend. You're the best thing to happen to almost everyone's lives you touched!!!"

She added, "The reason I'm me is because of you!!! ... My first best friend the one who taught me everything I know!!!!! How is this even possible you won't be here. ... This feels so surreal. I keep waking up crying thinking I'm in a bad dream. We will get justice for you my sister. I promise you won't be gone in vain!!!"

Police asked anyone with information about the deaths to call Detective Pierce or Marcinek, Los Angeles Police Department, Central Bureau Homicide, at 213-996-4150. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or go to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.