In what should have been a week of immense celebration, the life of 24-year-old Monet Laterra Newton was tragically cut short in a devastating murder-suicide in her Glendale, Arizona, apartment. An African American woman on the cusp of a bright future, Newton was just two days away from her graduation ceremony, where she was set to receive her master's degree in psychology from Grand Canyon University.
Her family had flown into town to witness this momentous occasion, but their joy turned to unimaginable horror when she failed to arrive at the airport to greet them.
Becoming increasingly worried when they couldn't get in touch with her, Newton's family and friends went to her apartment near Union Hills Drive and the Loop 101 freeway on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. There, they made the gruesome discovery. Monet Newton and her 22-year-old ex-boyfriend, Chase Cooper, were both found deceased, having sustained fatal gunshot wounds. The scene painted a grim picture for investigators, who quickly pieced together the sequence of events.
Authorities believe that Chase Cooper was the perpetrator, shooting Newton before turning the gun on himself in a tragic murder-suicide. The couple had recently ended a brief romantic relationship, a development that investigators believe led to the fatal confrontation. There were no signs of a break-in at the apartment, and a family friend was the first to force their way inside, discovering the tragic scene.
The devastating news sent shockwaves through the community, turning a time of planned celebration into one of profound grief. Having already earned her bachelor's degree in 2022, Newton was a dedicated student and was also working with the Phoenix Suns. Grand Canyon University, mourning the loss of a promising student, confirmed she had been studying through their online campus and offered counseling services to those affected by the tragedy. In the wake of this senseless act, no arrests were made as the sole suspect was also deceased.
