A body found in a car was positively identified as that of the vehicle’s owner, a 31-year-old Monrovia mother of two and store owner who had been reported missing, authorities reported Tuesday.
The body of Lajoya McCoy was discovered June 15 in her car in the 200 block of Cypress Avenue after detectives went to her home in the 800 block of West Olive Avenue, the Sheriff’s Department reported.
No cause of death has been announced, but the Sheriff’s Department said the death was being investigated as a homicide.
McCoy was reported missing by family members after she missed some appointments. When Monrovia police went to her home, they discovered evidence of foul play, said sheriff’s Deputy Lillian Peck.
Monrovia police called in sheriff’s homicide detectives, and McCoy’s car was later found during a grid search of the area, Peck said.
McCoy worked as an accountant with Los Angeles County and owned a clothing boutique. Friends said her two children, ages 7 and 9, were staying with their father when she went missing.
— City News Service