Los Angeles Police say – Daily News: The deaths of two models found at DTLA Apartments appear to be unrelated

Malissa Mooney, 31, left, and Nicole Coates, 32, were found dead in two downtown Los Angeles apartments less than a mile from each other and two days apart. Police are not saying the deaths are linked.

LOS ANGELES — Their investigation into the deaths of two models found in their downtown Los Angeles apartment has so far yielded “no evidence to suggest that the deaths…are related to each other,” police said Tuesday.

Malissa Mooney, 31, was found dead in her apartment in the 200 block of South Figueroa Street around 3:55 p.m. on September 12. Police said she had been murdered but described her cause of death as unknown pending an autopsy. Mooney’s cause of death was listed by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner as “postponed.”

Nicole Coates was found dead inside her apartment in the 700 block of Grand Avenue on September 10. Police were conducting a welfare check on Coates, 32, at about 10 a.m., but no one at her apartment responded. About two hours later, the police were called and someone reported finding a body in the house.

The coroner also listed her cause of death as “postponed.”

The Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday in a statement that Mooney’s death is being investigated as a homicide, and that Coates’ death is “being treated as a homicide investigation.”

“As investigations are still ongoing in both cases, no details about either case will be released,” the LAPD statement said. “However, based on the investigations to date, there is no evidence to suggest that the deaths of Ms. Coates and Ms. Mooney are linked.”

Anyone with information about either case is urged to contact Detectives Pierce or Marcinek of the LAPD Central Bureau of Investigation Homicide Division at 213-996-4150, or 877-LAPD-247. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or go to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

“Nikki’s vibrant personality was one that touched and influenced everyone she met. She is known as a wonderful daughter, friend and soulmate. We are devastated by her sudden passing,” according to a GoFundMe page created specifically for Coats to help with funeral expenses.

Moni was the sister of Guyanese pop singer Jordyn Pauline, who posted a tribute to her brother on Instagram last week.

“My heart is broken, I can’t believe you won’t be here with us anymore. You were so loving and kind to everyone. You made sure that everyone around you did as well. You opened your arms to people who didn’t deserve you as a friend. You are the best thing to happen in everyone’s life Someone I almost touched!!!”

She added: “The reason I am me is because of you!!! …My first best friend is the one who taught me everything I know!!!!! How is this possible that you wouldn’t even be here? …This seems so surreal. I keep waking up crying thinking I’m in a bad dream. We will get justice for you, sister. I promise it won’t go to waste!!!