Dateline NBC “The Dead of Night” December 28 2023 Recap & Preview
In the Dateline NBC episode titled “The Dead of Night,” airing on December 28, 2023, detectives delve into the mysterious disappearance of a mother of two. As they unravel the case, they discover that the missing woman had expressed concerns about being stalked. The episode features insights from her friends and family, shedding light on her fears and the circumstances surrounding her vanishing. The investigation unfolds as Josh Mankiewicz reports on this classic Dateline episode, providing viewers with an intriguing and suspenseful story of a woman who vanished under unsettling circumstances.
What Happened to LaJoya McCoy & Killer Jose Turner?
LaJoya McCoy, a single mother of two from California, lived in fear during the last days of her life. She confided in her closest friends, expressing her belief that someone was stalking her and even entering her home to move things around. Initially, her friends dismissed it as stress-related forgetfulness. However, on June 10, 2015, LaJoya, a 31-year-old boutique owner and auditor for Los Angeles County, vanished, failing to pick up her little sister as planned. Her family grew worried after two days of no contact, and her mother contacted the Monrovia Police, fearing that LaJoya might be sick or unconscious in her apartment.
Monrovia Police conducted a welfare check at LaJoya’s apartment but found nothing out of the ordinary. However, it wasn’t until a third check several days later that a detective, forcing his way inside through a window, discovered a gruesome scene. LaJoya was missing, and her bedroom was covered in blood. Bloodstains were found on the carpet, walls, and mattress, and someone had taken the bedding. LaJoya’s car, purse, and cell phone were also gone.
Authorities issued a bulletin for her car, and it was quickly found parked on a residential street not far from her apartment, with LaJoya’s body inside, bearing a ligature mark around her neck. Her family was devastated by the discovery.
Detectives soon focused on a suspect, LaJoya’s ex-boyfriend and the father of her children, Jose Turner. Their relationship, which initially seemed ideal, had soured over time, marked by violence and jealousy. In one incident in 2013, LaJoya fled half-naked to her uncle’s apartment after a violent argument with Turner, who had choked her. She didn’t report this to the police, fearing it would only anger him further.
Despite the turmoil in her personal life, LaJoya pursued her dreams, including opening a clothing boutique and spending time with her children. She even started dating again, posting pictures on Facebook with a new love interest.
However, she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was stalking her, and she believed it was Turner. Detectives found a blood-soaked note in her car detailing these incidents. Furthermore, Turner’s DNA was discovered under LaJoya’s fingernails and inside her car. A search of his vehicle yielded items taken from her apartment and a notebook with threatening notes in his handwriting.
This evidence led to Turner’s arrest for LaJoya’s murder. He was found guilty and sentenced to 26 years to life in prison. LaJoya’s two children are now being raised by her aunt and uncle.
