In the late hours of March 6, 2026, the life of 29-year-old Renesia Thompson was tragically cut short in a violent act that unfolded in Milwaukee's Estabrook Park. Thompson was discovered inside a car, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound. The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office had been alerted to the scene after a caller reported hearing a man and woman arguing, which was ominously followed by the sound of gunfire.
When authorities arrived, they pronounced Thompson dead at the scene.
The investigation into Thompson's death quickly pointed to an act of domestic violence. The suspect was identified as 28-year-old Jalun Cotton. Evidence gathered by sheriff's officials confirmed a connection between Cotton and Thompson, as well as to the crime scene itself. The firearm used in the shooting was later found in a Milwaukee home.
Approximately 12 hours after the discovery of Thompson's body, the investigation took another turn when authorities were called to a residence on Milwaukee's north side, near 19th and Nash. There, they found Jalun Cotton deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Renesia Thompson's mother, Eddricka Wagner, remembered her daughter as a loving and caring person who was full of life and always willing to help others. She described Renesia as the eldest of three siblings who was deeply loved by her family, including her children, niece, and nephew. Wagner shared that her daughter had a strong foundation in the church and was cherished by her relatives, friends, and the community.
