On October 22, 2024, 18-year-old Ja'Niyah Kurstin Hardy was found deceased from a gunshot wound in her Trotwood, Ohio apartment. Authorities responded to a shooting report at the 5500 block of Autumn Woods Drive around 3:15 p.m., where they discovered Hardy unresponsive near the front door. Despite life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation revealed that Hardy and her 20-year-old boyfriend, Donte Lamar Cotton Jr., who shared the apartment, had been involved in a domestic dispute leading up to the shooting. Cotton was arrested at the scene and initially charged with two felony counts of tampering with evidence related to Hardy's death. Subsequently, he was charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty to the tampering charges and was held on a $1 million bond, which he posted. His next court appearance was scheduled for November 1, 2024.
Ja'Niyah Hardy was a recent graduate of Liberty High School and aspired to become a registered nurse, following in her mother's footsteps. She was remembered as a sweet and loving individual who cherished family gatherings and vacations. Her passing left a profound impact on her family, friends, and the local community.
The case remains under investigation by the Trotwood Police Department. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the department or Crime Stoppers to assist in the ongoing investigation.
