Nationwide — Rogeick Cohea III, an 18-year-old African American teen from Gulfport, Mississippi, was found dead in his car at Stonegate Apartments after being in the vehicle for about 24 hours. Police have classified his death as a homicide, and his family is demanding answers.
Authorities said Cohea’s body went unnoticed for days, even as residents walked past the see-through car. Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer confirmed the teen had been dead in the car for at least a couple of days before anyone reported it, according to WLBT.
His sisters, Deandrea “Coco” Cohea and Aaliyah Thompson, expressed disbelief at how no one noticed sooner. “We’re unaware of what happened — we don’t know. We don’t have a story. I just don’t get how you sat there for days with residents walking past him every day with the assumption that he’s sleeping with a blanket over his head,” Thompson said.
Deandrea added, “His car is see-through — there’s no tint.” The vehicle has since been detailed and returned to the family.
Rogeick, a recent West Harrison High School graduate, worked full-time and was expecting a son. His sisters described him as ambitious and determined, trying to build a stable life for himself and his family.
The sisters believe the killers are still at large and want justice. “Justice will be served for sure. More people know more than what they’re saying — and we just really want the answers. We need the answers,” Thompson said. “We’re the family. We need to know.”