Ex-Boyfriend Convicted In Monrovia Woman's Killing

MONROVIA, CA — A man was convicted Monday of first-degree murder for the strangulation murder of the mother of his two children, whose body was found in her car on a Monrovia street.

Jurors also found true an allegation that Jose Roberto Turner, 49, of Pasadena, used a rope as a deadly weapon to kill 31-year-old Lajoya McCoy, a Monrovia resident.

Prosecutors said Turner, who also stabbed McCoy in the deadly attack, had previously threatened the victim's life after their relationship ended.

Turner, who faces 26 years to life in prison, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10.

McCoy was reported missing after she didn't show up for some scheduled appointments. Detectives went to her home in the 8000 block of West Olive Avenue and found evidence of foul play. McCoy's car and body were found on June 16, 2015, in the 200 block of West Cypress Avenue during a grid search of the area.

Turner was arrested about six weeks later.

McCoy worked as an accountant with the county of Los Angeles and owned a clothing boutique. Friends said her two children, ages 7 and 9 at the time, were staying with their father when she went missing.

— City News Service, courtesy photo