Laureen Ashley Brooks was a devoted mother of three whose world revolved around her children. Born in Chesapeake, Virginia, on December 15, 1994, the 31-year-old female was remembered by family and friends for her generous heart, warmth, and thoughtfulness. A graduate of Hickory High School, Laureen filled her children's lives with love and care, creating cherished memories that would remain with them always.
Friends described her as a dedicated mother and a loving person who was also unique, fun, and hilarious. Her life was unexpectedly cut short, leaving a void in the hearts of all who knew her.
On the evening of Thursday, September 24, 2026, Chesapeake Police were called to a home in the 3900 block of Holly Cove Drive for a report of a domestic assault in progress. Officers arrived at approximately 7:58 p.m. and entered the residence. Inside, they discovered Laureen Brooks in a bathroom, deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect had already fled the scene before police arrived.
Tragically, Laureen’s three young children—an 11-year-old, a 4-year-old, and a one-month-old infant—were all inside the home at the time of the shooting. They were physically unharmed and were placed in the care of local family members. A neighbor later recounted seeing multiple police cars filling the quiet neighborhood but did not recall hearing any gunshots. He knew someone had passed away only when he saw the coroner's van arrive.
The Chesapeake Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation, confirming that the victim and the suspect knew each other. Soon after, they identified 28-year-old Omar Malik Patterson as the suspect in the domestic-related shooting and sought the public's help in locating him. Police warned that Patterson should be considered armed and dangerous. He was described as a Black male, approximately 5'8" and 182 pounds, with numerous tattoos on his face.
The search for Patterson came to an end about two weeks later. On October 8, 2026, news reports confirmed that Omar Malik Patterson had been found dead in the neighboring city of Portsmouth. While the circumstances of his death were not immediately detailed, his death closed the active search for the man wanted in connection with Laureen's murder.
Laureen is survived by her three children, her parents, Deewayne and Carol Brooks, and her siblings, Brittany Post, another sister, and two brothers, as well as many other relatives and friends. A celebration of her life was held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Briggs Funeral Home & Crematory, where loved ones gathered to remember the joy and love she brought into the world. As of October 2026, the case was considered closed following the death of the sole suspect. Police had asked anyone with information to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, with a potential reward of up to $1,500 for tips leading to an arrest.
