An arrest has finally been made for the murder of Los Angeles-based model Maleesa Mooney, who was found dead back in September.
As previously reported, the body of 31-year-old Mooney - who was the sister of Guyanese pop star Jourdin Pauline - was found stuffed inside a refrigerator at her luxury LA apartment on September 12. Her wrists and ankles had been bound together and gagged "with miscellaneous electronic cords and clothing items", according to the public report by the Los Angeles Department of the Medical Examiner.
According to CBS News, Mooney was last seen alive on security footage from her apartment complex on September 6.
Then, on September 12, Mooney's mother prompted the police to carry out a welfare check after becoming concerned about her daughter's well-being. Her family also stated that she was two months pregnant at the time of her death.
Strangulation marks and the evident blunt force injuries led coroner officials to conclude the manner of her death as a homicide.
Now, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has confirmed that it has arrested Minnesota convicted felon Magnus Daniel Humphrey in connection to Mooney's death.
In a statement, the LAPD said: "The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office filed murder charges against Humphrey. Humphrey waived extradition and will be transported back to Los Angeles to face charges.”
Humphrey had been arrested by police at his home in Hopkins, Minnesota, on an unrelated warrant - but was later identified as a person of interest in Mooney's homicide.
FOX 11 LA reports that court documents also state that Humphrey's murder charge includes an allegation of murder during the commission of torture.
Any relationship between Mooney and Humphrey has not yet been made public by officials.
A GoFundMe - set up by Mooney's friend - is still live as loved ones continue to seek justice for the late model.
As well as raising money for legal fees, those closest to the model also with to "start a fund and foundation in Maleesa's name and memory", and raise "awareness for all women of color who are so often overlooked, underprotected, undervalued and just flat out forgotten".
At the time of her sister's death, Pauline shared a tribute to Instagram, reading: "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!!!"
Our thoughts continue to go out to Mooney's loved ones at this time.
